Depends on why the interactions are limited. I have noticed significant differences in interaction depending on the course.

If you take the perspective that recognized qualifications is the only distinct advantage for an institution then all recognized institutions will have to compete on price. When you factor in distance delivery over the internet the competing institutions increase significantly. I would suggest that is in the institutions (including faculty and staff) interests to compete not only on price, but also on student engagement and relationship with faculty. While businesses do this to support retention and loyalty, I suggest institutions could do this for a more satisfying student experience.

I would argue this is the case whether your organization is focused instruction and/or research.

While I believe early adoption of open policies are in organizations and individuals best interests I am curious as to how OER would be funded in a sustainable manner. Can you recommend links, or primers for a layperson?

Eric,

This is a perennial question that has an obvious answer. The proprietary textbook and course materials world that we live in now is the one that is not sustainable. In fact the question needs to be turned on its head. The present sysemt is not sustainable. We, and our students, cannot afford to continue paying exorbitant fees for texts that change at the publisher's whim. OER are FREE. As the supply increases and the quality improves we will be able to replace proprietary content with OER, thus reducing cost and increasing our sustainability. Institutions and students already pay heavily for content. A small portion of these dollars can be re-directed to support OER deployment.

all the best.

Rory

I agree wholeheartedly that the present system does not scale and there are other channels now available other than publishers that can and should be used. What I was trying to understanding is how the costs of creation and delivery are accommodated and whether eliminating publishing costs are the only savings or if there are structural changes in what constitutes the Intellectual Property supply chain. In consideration of this, does the creation of OER's actually form a useful viable marketplace within a university?