Leveraging Business Intelligence Applications in OER Data

Business intelligence frameworks and applications are frequently used in corporate settings as well as higher education institutions to transform raw datasets into information, such as visualization using dashboards, that has the potential to guide decision-making processes and strategic planning. As open educational resource programs are maturing, those that oversee those programs are increasingly beginning to rely on data to demonstrate the impact that OER has on students, faculty, and the broader institutional community. While many OER programs are collecting similar types of data, such as OER adoption and estimated cost savings, there is a lack of standardization in data collection metrics and processes across institutions. Additionally, there is little scholarship that demonstrates the process of OER data collection and using visualization applications to create resources that can aid OER programs in decision-making and strategic initiatives. This case study outlines how the Texas Tech University Libraries OER Office integrated business intelligence frameworks and applications to develop three dashboards for managing OER data, and analyzes the key challenges encountered throughout the design and implementation process.