Identification of Useful Open Education Resources: Evaluating Open Educational Resources (OERs): Challenges and Solutions for Effective Co-Creation and Sharing

The Zambian education system, while making strides in recent years, faces challenges in ensuring access to quality educational resources. Open Educational Resources (OERs) offer a promising solution to address these challenges by providing freely accessible, high-quality learning materials. However, the effective utilization of OERs in Zambian classrooms hinges on educators' ability to efficiently evaluate their quality and relevance. This study addresses this challenge by developing a software tool specifically tailored to the Zambian education system. The tool leverages data mining techniques, specifically Document Layout Analysis (DLA), to analyze OERs against criteria relevant to the Zambian curriculum and educational standards. By identifying inconsistencies and non-conforming elements, the tool assists educators in selecting appropriate OERs that align with the unique needs and contexts of Zambian learners. Through a mixed methods approach, including document analysis and content analysis of existing OERs, the study identifies key evaluation criteria that are particularly relevant to the Zambian education system. These criteria encompass factors such as alignment with the Zambian curriculum, OERs sharing,remix,reuse, and accessibility for learners with diverse learning needs. The DLA model is then developed and evaluated using standard metrics to ensure its effectiveness in accurately identifying OERs that meet these criteria. The implementation of this software tool is anticipated to streamline the OER evaluation process, reducing the time and effort required by Zambian educators. By providing a more efficient and objective assessment method, the tool will facilitate the wider adoption of OERs in Zambian educational institutions. Ultimately, this will contribute to improved access to quality education, enhanced learning outcomes for Zambian students, and a more equitable and inclusive education system 1