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Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching, learning and research materials in any medium – digital or otherwise – that reside in the public domain or have been released under an open license that permits no-cost access, use, adaptation and redistribution by others with no or limited restrictions.
https://en.unesco.org/themes/building-knowledge-societies/oer
Choosing open educational resources (OER) to replace traditional textbooks as a college faculty member can be a great way to lower costs for students and provide more accessible materials. Here's a guide to help you get started:
Determine your needs and goals: Before selecting OER, consider what you need for your course and what your goals are for using these materials. For example, you might be looking for resources that align with your course objectives, or materials that are available in a variety of formats.
Research available OER: There are many different sources of OER, including open textbook libraries, repositories, and individual open textbooks. Some popular open textbook libraries include OpenStax, the Open Textbook Library, and the Open Textbook Network.
Evaluate the quality of the OER: Once you've found some potential OER, it's important to evaluate their quality. Look for OER that have been peer-reviewed, are regularly updated, and have been adopted by other instructors. You may also want to look for OER that are accessible, in terms of both usability and copyright.
Consider compatibility with your course: Make sure the OER you select align with your course objectives and fit the needs of your students. Consider factors such as length, depth, level of difficulty, and format (e.g., textbook, online resource, etc.).
Check for supplementary materials: Some OER come with supplementary materials, such as quizzes, practice problems, and multimedia resources, which can enhance the student learning experience.
Encourage student feedback: Once you've adopted OER, encourage your students to provide feedback on their effectiveness and accessibility. This can help you make informed decisions about future use of OER and ensure that your students are able to make the most of the materials.
Stay up-to-date with OER developments: The world of OER is constantly evolving, so it's important to stay informed about new developments and trends. Consider joining professional organizations, attending conferences, and following OER-related blogs and social media accounts.
By following these steps, you'll be able to select high-quality OER that meet your needs and goals, and help ensure a positive experience for both you and your students.
Note: searches open in new window.
Open Access materials are licensed for free use online by anyone, regardless of their institutional affiliation. Kistler Library has compiled materials from many of the web's top open access content providers into a single search through WorldCat Discovery. Enter your search terms in the field below, click GO, and you will be brought to a list of results. From there, simply click the Access online or View full text links provided to be directed to any given article.
Consult these links for more help using and accessing Open Access resources: