Advances in computers, programming tools, information technologies, and Internet services and applications have enormously increased the use, distribution and production of educational resources (ERs). These include content materials, like lessons, but also quizzes, syllabi, simulations, instructional guides, etc.). Although the volume of such resources is increasing rapidly, much work remains to be done. The task is enormous, but working in collaboration is a way to optimise our efforts. One of the biggest growth areas is in the provision of services that facilitate storage and sharing of multimedia content (repositories). Internet services facilitate access to ERs, both proprietary resources, with restricted use and distribution, and open (free) resources. The latter now predominate, since their use and distribution, and even their modification by users, is unrestricted. From individual activities of content development (where the producer is the consumer), the emphasis is now shifting towards working in collaboration, where the community contributes to the planning, production, use, distribution, sharing and modification of resources to improve teaching.

This presentation reviews the changes that are now occurring in ERs and their repositories: collaborative tools and systems that facilitate and improve production; new conditions of use, which facilitate transformation and adaptation; monitoring and control of quality (peer review systems); and institutional policies. It also analyzes some examples of good practice taken from networks that collaboratively develop and manage digital educational materials and resources.