Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or are under copyright that have been released under an open license, that permit no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, adaptation and redistribution by others.
Open license refers to a license that respects the intellectual property rights of the copyright owner and provides permissions granting the public the rights to access, re-use, re-purpose, adapt and redistribute educational materials.
The Recommendation on OER, adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference at its 40th session, is the first international normative instrument to embrace the field of openly licensed educational materials and technologies in education.
To support Member States implementation of the OER Recommendation, UNESCO established the OER Dynamic Coalition.
The OER Dynamic Coalition aims to support networking and sharing of information to create synergies around the 5 areas of action of the recommendation:
The coalition endeavors to build the capacity of stakeholders, empowering them to create, access, re-use, adapt, and redistribute OER. By promoting knowledge and skills in utilizing these resources, it aims to enhance the educational experience for all.
Supportive policy development is prioritized to create an enabling environment for OER adoption. Clear and comprehensive policies can pave the way for widespread access and utilization of educational materials, ensuring their transformative potential is harnessed.
This action centers around encouraging inclusive and equitable quality OER. By emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and ensuring equal opportunities for learners, the coalition aims to enhance the accessibility and relevance of educational resources across diverse contexts.
The coalition recognizes the need to nurture the creation of sustainable models for OER. Establishing mechanisms for long-term viability and growth of openly licensed educational materials is crucial for their continued availability and impact.
Facilitating international cooperation is integral to promoting the global reach and impact of OER. By fostering collaboration among nations, the coalition seeks to strengthen the collective efforts and address educational challenges on a broader scale.
The OER Dynamic Coalition, through its concerted efforts, endeavors to foster an educational landscape where open educational resources flourish. By embracing open licensing and its associated freedoms, we have the opportunity to revolutionize education, expand access to knowledge, and empower individuals worldwide.
UNESCO: https://www.unesco.org/en/open-educational-resources?hub=785
OER Commons: https://oercommons.org/
CWR University: https://researchguides.case.edu/c.php?g=1022457&p=7406006
UT Librararies: https://guides.lib.utexas.edu/OER/home