TY - JOUR AU - Schmidt-Jones, Catherine Anne PY - 2012/01/31 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - An open education resource supports a diversity of inquiry-based learning JF - The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning JA - IRRODL VL - 13 IS - 1 SE - Research Articles DO - 10.19173/irrodl.v13i1.1141 UR - https://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1141 SP - 1-16 AB - There have been numerous calls for research that demonstrates how open education resources (OERs) are actually being used. This case study sought to shed light on the users of a well-visited set of modular music-education materials published at Connexions. Respondents to a voluntary survey included teachers, students, self-directed learners, music ensemble participants, and casual learners. Most reported accessing individual modules on their own initiative, as part of a specific, immediate inquiry, rather than responding to institutional directives or following entire online courses. This was supported by computer-log records, which showed that most visitors to a module arrived from an Internet search for terms specific to that module. The study suggests that, for teachers and students as well as self-directed learners, one function of OERs is as a resource for just-in-time, inquiry-based learning. ER -