Developing an open educational resource (oer) for generative ai in higher education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22481/praxisedu.v21i52.17103

Keywords:

generative AI, open educational resource, university, humanistic perspective

Abstract

The launch of generative AI marked a significant technological disruption, compelling industries, including higher education, to rapidly adapt. This study explores the University of the Free State’s (UFS) interdisciplinary project initiated in 2023 to develop an open educational resource (OER) focused on generative AI. The OER aims to provide a comprehensive guide for educators and institutions to responsibly and effectively implement AI-driven educational tools. The OER consolidated content around generative AI in a South African higher education context, addressing real and potential use cases, challenges, and philosophical debates. Included in the content are highlights illustrating the rise of generative AI as a disruptive force, challenging traditional educational practices and raising concerns about academic integrity, over-reliance on technology, and algorithmic bias. The development of the OER integrated conceptual and theoretical frameworks to contextualise and underpin the research, emphasising the importance of ethical considerations and the socio-historic context of generative AI use in academia and society. Key insights from panel discussions and sandbox sessions underscored the need for targeted and contextual educational resources and the exploration of diverse AI use cases across research, teaching, and administration. The study concludes justifying for a humanistic perspective, advocating for inclusive and equitable technological integration.

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Author Biographies

Susan Brokensha, University of the Free State

Ph.D. in Applied Language Sciences from the University of the Free State. She is a Professor at the Department of English, Faculty of the Humanities at the University of the Free State, South Africa.

Katinka de Wet, University of the Free State

PhD in Sociology from the École des    Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris, France. Co-Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures, and Associate professor of Sociology at the Faculty of the Humanities of the University of the Free State, South Africa.

Herkulaas Combrink, University of the Free State - África do Sul

Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Pretoria. Co-Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures and a Lecturer and Academic for the Data Analytics and Data Analytics for Business modules at the University of the Free State.

Nola Redelinghuys, University of the Free State

Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of the Free State. Senior Lecturer in Sociology and researcher at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures, University of the Free State, South Africa.

Ketshepileone Matlhoko, University of the Free State

Lecturer and Ph.D. student in Consumer behaviour in AI technology in education at the Department of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State, South Africa.

Cornelle Scheltema-van Wyk, University of the Free State

Master of Philosophy from the University of Cape Town. Deputy Director, Library and Information Services at the University of the Free State, South Africa.

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Published

2025-07-09

How to Cite

BROKENSHA, Susan; WET, Katinka de; COMBRINK, Herkulaas; REDELINGHUYS, Nola; MATLHOKO, Ketshepileone; WYK, Cornelle Scheltema-van. Developing an open educational resource (oer) for generative ai in higher education. Práxis Educacional, Vitória da Conquista, v. 21, n. 52, p. e17103, 2025. DOI: 10.22481/praxisedu.v21i52.17103. Disponível em: https://periodicos2.uesb.br/praxis/article/view/17103. Acesso em: 2 sep. 2026.

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 52 (2025): Fluxo contínuo

Section

Seção Temática

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