Embedded Files
In the previous module you were introduced to Creative Commons licenses, including what they are, and how to use them. In this module, you will learn about how to search for open education resources.
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
Recognize the different types of OER
Apply effective search strategies when looking for OER
Utilize OER search tools available
Identify several online repositories for OER
Getting Started
Getting Started
As we learned in module 1, OER are educational materials that include permission for anyone to use, modify and share. OER includes any educational resource (including curriculum maps, course materials, textbooks, streaming videos, multimedia applications, podcasts, and any other materials that have been designed for use in teaching and learning) that are openly available for use by educators and students, without an accompanying need to pay royalties or license fees.
As you begin your search for relevant open educational resources, it is important to understand the process.
First you must identify the topic(s) of your search,
Compile relevant resources, and
Evaluate the results.
There are billions of openly licensed resources out there; it is easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to find relevant resources. The following resources can help you.
Search Tools
Search Tools
"Google Advanced Search, Usage Rights" by George Williams, Flickr is licensed by CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Google Advanced Search allows you to filter results by usage rights (Google's own descriptions of licenses):
not filtered by license (default)
free to use or share (CC BY-NC-ND)
free to use or share, even commercially (CC BY-ND)
free to use, share, or modify (CC BY-NC or CC BY-NC-SA)
free to use, share, or modify, even commercially (CC BY or CC BY-SA)
This utility from George Mason University Libraries, searches 16 OER repositories at once. You can add or remove sources to modify your search targets.
Openly Available Sources Integrated Search (OASIS) is a search tool developed at SUNY Geneseo that aims to make the discovery of open content easier. This tool will simultaneously search 44 different open content sources.
Be aware that these search tools rely on license metadata being detected on the source webpage(s), but it is wise to confirm the CC license on the content you want to reuse before doing so.
OER Repositories
OER Repositories
Activity
Apply the Identify, Compile and Evaluate process to your own project. Make a copy of the course map document.
Complete the required information and begin to search for resources that map to your learning outcomes.
Be sure to list any gaps you find in the available material.
Share your course map to the Library Course Map Google Drive Folder.
Meet with your library partner to discuss your findings and seek support.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Attributions
Information for this module was consulted and adapted from
"Curator Spotlight on Repositories" by Ontario Extend is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0
"How to Find and Evaluate OER" by Abbey Elder is licensed under CC BY 4.0
"Identifying, Finding, and Adopting OER" by SUNY OER Services is licensed under CC BY 4.0
"Knowing Where to Find OER" by William Meinke is licensed under CC BY 4.0
"Library as Open Education Leader: Searching for Open Materials Template 1 & 2 " by Quill West is licensed under CC BY 4.0
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