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Open Educational Resources (OERs)

This guide contains information about open educational resources (OERs) for students and faculty.

What are Open Educational Resources (OERs)?

Open Educational Resources (OERs) are teaching, learning, and research materials that are freely accessible and openly licensed. These materials can be used, adapted, and shared with minimal or no restrictions. Some examples of OERs include textbooks, books, images, videos, and course materials such as syllabi and lesson plans.

A hand-drawn digital illustration explaining Open Educational Resources (OER). The title "Open Educational Resources" is illustrated in large blue letters, surrounded by illustrations of textbooks, videos, courses, modules, software, tests, which are all considered techniques, materials, and tools. Text describes OER as materials used for teaching, learning, and research, shared under a public domain or open license for reuse, with a "Creative Commons" logo at the bottom. The right side highlights "Education is Sharing" with a hand signifying that. It illustrates the five R’s of OER: Retain, Reuse, Revise, Remix, and Redistribute, depicted with arrows and stick figures to connect them. In an illustrated graph, it suggests that OER improves access and affordability, and transforms learning for students to perform the same or better. The figure is accompanied by a figure holding a heart in their arms, smiling.

OER is for Sharing by Giulia Forsythe (CC BY 4.0)

The 5 Rs: Retain, Reuse, Revise, Remix, Redistribute

OERs are governed by Creative Commons (CC) licenses or similar open licenses that allow users to retain, reuse, revise, remix, and redistribute materials, often referred to as the 5Rs of OER.

Retain - Download and keep copies.
Reuse - Use the content in various ways.
Revise - Adapt, modify, or update the content.
Remix - Combine with other materials to create new resources.
Redistribute - Share the original or adapted materials with others.

Benefits of Using OERs

Illustration of a student sitting at a table with an opened laptop taking notes.

For Students

  • Eliminates cost barriers - OERs provide free access to textbooks and learning materials, reducing financial stress and increasing educational equity.
  • Ensures immediate and lifelong access - Students can access OERs anytime without expiration, supporting both current coursework and lifelong learning.
  • Encourages active learning - Many OERs include interactive and multimedia components that enhance student engagement and comprehension.
  • Supports diverse learning needs - OERs can be adapted for different learning styles, accessibility needs, and cultural contexts.
  • Increases retention and success - When students don’t have to choose between buying textbooks and meeting other financial needs, they are more likely to stay enrolled and succeed academically.

Illustration of a teacher standing in front of a black board.

For Instructors

  • Cost-free teaching materials - OERs reduce the financial burden on faculty and institutions by providing free, high-quality instructional resources.
  • Customizability and flexibility - Instructors can modify, adapt, and remix OERs to better fit their course objectives, teaching styles, and student needs.
  • Improved student outcomes - Studies show that students perform as well or better when using OERs, as they have access to course materials from day one.
  • Encourages innovation in teaching - Open licensing allows instructors to experiment with new teaching approaches and create more engaging learning experiences.
  • Supports open scholarship - Using and contributing to OERs aligns with open-access principles, promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration across institutions.

Attributions: Open Access and Copyright by Lori Looney, Connecticut College (CC BY 4.0)

Illustrations from Storyset by Freepik.

Additional Help

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