Vol. 14(4), pp. 188- -200 August, 2026. 

ISSN: 2360-7858

https://doi.org/10.14662/ijalis2026510

 

Full Length Research

 

Abstract

The spread, adoption, and use of digital technologies have changed the world of teachers' professional development and services for students everywhere, bringing the field unprecedented opportunities and challenges. The present article provides a critical evaluation and convincing argument based on research, institutional data, statistical evidence and theory from publications dating back to 2019 and until 2026 for the role of e-learning and Open Educational Resources (OER) for teachers' professional development and service delivery in the digital age. The article suggests that e-learning and OER are not a 'supplementary' or 'option' to be added to existing professional development structures; rather they are necessary infrastructure of a twenty first century system of teacher education in a democratic, equitable and quality manner. The review details the remarkable and rapid expansion of the global e-learning industry, which is estimated to grow exponentially by 2030, and the accompanying growth of OER ecosystems, currently with more than 38,600 repositories and tens of millions of freely accessible educational resources available as of 2023. It critically explores challenges to access of equitable teachers to e-learning and OER, such as digital infrastructure gaps, access to devices, poor digital literacy skill, and institutional policy failures, and offers evidence-informed solutions to these challenges. The article focuses specifically on the developing countries in Africa and Asia, where the potential of e-learning and OER for change is highest but structural obstacles are also the most severe. Education ministries, teacher training institutions, library and information professionals, and international development actors are encouraged to advance recommendations for education ministries, teacher training institutions, library and information professionals, and international development organizations dedicated to making the most of the potential of digital learning to enhance the quality of teaching and improve educational transformation.

 

Keywords: E-learning, Open Educational Resources, Teacher professional development, Digital age, MOOCs, Learning management systems, ICT integration, Distance education, continuing professional development

 

	Cite This Article As: Olubiyo, PO (2026). E-Learning and Open Educational Resources for Teachers' Development and Services in the Digital Age. Inter. J. Acad. Lib. Info. Sci. 14(4): 188-200