A research consortium led by Charles Sturt University (CSU) has been awarded a $238 000 federal grant to examine and make recommendations about open education resources for teaching in Australian tertiary education institutions.

Open education resources are shared, public domain resources for free reuse and adaptation by teachers and learners, usually signified with a Creative Commons Licence.

The project's lead researcher, CSU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Learning) Professor Sandra Wills in the Division of Student Learning, will guide a team from CSU, the University of Tasmania, and the University of Technology, Sydney.

Professor Wills said, "Charles Sturt University is an early adopter of technology-enhanced learning and the largest provider of distance education in Australia.

"This project on open education is a close fit with our goal of continuing to be a digitally rich university, providing quality learning for students no matter the mode or place," she said.

"It also fits with our membership of OERuni, an international philanthropic organisation which provides affordable pathways for students worldwide who might not otherwise be able to access a university education."

The project will prepare a National Policy Roadmap and evidence-based case studies to support universities to create, adapt, and incorporate open education resources in their technology-based curriculum. The project commences with the assumption that speculation in massive open online courses (MOOCs) has temporarily hi-jacked the broader open education agenda.

"There have been many quality open education projects undertaken since educators took to technology to educate a broader base of students than traditionally had access to universities," Professor Wills said.

"Urgent steps must now be taken to prepare Australian tertiary institutions to take advantage of advances in technology.

"The project partners will work with their students and staff to develop case studies of open online education, including the contribution of our students to co-created curriculum design. At the same time a policy roadmap will recommend national actions for facilitating open education resources in teaching within Australian institutions."The federal Office for Learning and Teaching (OLTC) grant was announced by The Hon. Christopher Pyne, MP, Minister for Education, on Wednesday 18 June.