Demography, awareness, and usage: self-directed learners’ use of Open Educational Resources in an Open Distance Institution

The use of open educational resources (OERs) has become increasingly popular in recent years as a means of providing students with access to a wide range of educational materials that are free and openly accessible online. This has led to an increased interest in the demographic dynamics of awareness and usage of OERs among students in higher institutions. This paper examines the ways in which demographic factors such as age and gender play a role in this process in an open distance e-learning institution. Furthermore, this study employed a survey research design using a survey to solicit responses from 1970 students from a South African-based open distance e-learning institution and analysed using descriptive data analysis of percentages and frequency counts. This study reveals that younger students were more likely to use OERs than older students. Another demographic factor that affects the awareness and usage of OERs is gender. The study has shown that both female and male students are equally more likely to use OERs. The study further highlighted how these demographic variables interplay with the awareness and usage of open educational resources among students in the ODel Institution. The study recommends that as OERs become more widely available and accepted by all ages and sexes, it is likely that their usage will increase. It is important for lecturers and policymakers to take these factors into account when designing and implementing OER initiatives in order to ensure that all students have equal access to the educational resources they need to succeed.