Development of open educational resources for supporting academic English in higher education

Abstract

This paper reports on a study examining and developing Open Educational Resources (OER) based on the needs for academic English of graduate lecturers and students. Five-point Likert-type scale questionnaire surveys were used to collect data from graduate instructors, and graduate students on the necessary academic English skills prior to designing the OER vault from 48 lecturers and graduate students from five leading universities participating in the one-year study. Prior to developing the OER, evaluating of contents, categories and materials were conducted using interviews, focus group discussion, and expert review logs. Discussion regarding OER development, constraints, and implications are addressed. Textbooks are limited in physical accessibility, however, online resources will be helpful for those who are less privileged. The academic English OERs facilitate graduate students, yet the instructors must provide sources, guidelines, and assistance. It is argued that quotations, or use of citations, or paraphrasing are a must for all college and university students in the west and other continents. However, higher education institutions in Thailand have been confronting plagiarism especially in academic writings and research theses.