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Open Educational Resources

Resources for finding and using open educational resources (OER) for teaching and learning.

Definition

Open Educational Resources (OER) are any type of educational material freely available for teachers and students to use, adapt, share, and reuse.

These include but not limited to:

  • Learning content such as lesson plans, assignments, textbooks, exams, and videos.
  • Tools for learning such as software for creating videos and websites, course management systems, word processing programs, and training materials (also called open source).
  • Other digital materials such as lab activities, games and simulations.

The materials are:

  • published online,
  • are distributed at no cost with legal permission for the public to freely use, share, and build upon the content,
  • either in the public domain or carry an open license granting legal permission for their use, and can be used on a variety of software platforms, learning management systems, and in print.

Benefits

  • Increased equity and access to essentials learning materials by removing financial barriers
    • Textbook affordability initiatives
  • Perpetual access to learning materials
    • Ability to retain a copy of the materials
  • Enhanced customization and relevance by modifying OER to fit specific curriculum
  • Empowered teaching through greater control over course content with ability to update and revise as needed
  • Improved student outcomes and engagement through immediate access to high-quality content
    • Content in various formats to meet different learning styles
  • Network and collaborate with peers within your discipline.

Looking for OER?

Multiple sources were consulted and adapted for use in this guide, including Michigan State University, OER Commons, University of Illinois, University of Mary Washington, and University of Pittsburgh.