OER 101 registration now open for Fall 2024!

1.2. Mon - What is OER?

Day's Objectives

Articulate why OER is important
Define open educational resources
Identify resources that are openly licensed, public domain, and all rights reserved copyrighted
Distinguish different types of Creative Commons licenses

OER Defined

There are many OER Definitions created by a variety of organizations and foundations.

OER Definition 1

Open Educational Resources (OERs) are teaching, learning, and research resources released under an open license that permits their free use and repurposing by others. OERs can be textbooks, full courses, lesson plans, videos, tests, software, or any other tool, material, or technique that supports access to knowledge. -by Hewlett Foundation

OER Definition 2

Open Educational Resources (OERs) are any type of educational materials that are in the public domain or introduced with an open license. The nature of these open materials means that anyone can legally and freely copy, use, adapt and re-share them. -by UNESCO

The "Why Open Education Matters" video is by Opa Bukola

The "Password: OER" video by Laura Rachfalski

Mini-Lecture: Copyright, Open License, & Public Domain

Mini Lecture Copyright, O...& Public Domain PRLS 2019

Curate Resources

While the focus of this workshop is on finding no-cost and OER materials as replacements for costly commercial course materials, it is important to remember the overall course design process, which always starts with the Student Learning Outcomes. It is recommended that you have your course syllabus on-hand as you search for your course materials. You have your own Google Folder with suggested resources by subject in order to start your search. Those of you who have similar subjects or courses have a joint folder. Your facilitators are also available to help you find additional resources.

Suggested OER guides at UH: