Understanding OER

OER Defined

Open Education Resources (OER) are teaching, learning, and research materials that can be shared, used, and adapted without cost. This is made possible by an open license copyright, usually from Creative Commons, which gives users these permissions which are not normally granted under standard copyright law. You can learn more about open licenses by navigating to the Open Licenses and Copyright tab on this guide.

What Can Be OER?

OER are not just textbooks, but can encompass most types of resources used in coursework including: Lab Manuals, Workbooks, Tutorials, Course Shells/Modules, Lecture Notes or Slides, Quizzes, Tests, Study Guides, Videos, Software, Syllabi, and more that are shared with Open Licensing.

Open Licensing gives users the ability to revise, remix, reuse, retain, and redistribute materials - this is known as the the 5Rs, a framework first developed by David Wiley.

 

An Introduction to OER

Learn More

  • Texas OER Core Elements Course - 12 self-paced online learning units. The 12 units can serve as an introduction to open educational resources (OER) as well as an opportunity for further exploration and discovery of OER and open education practices.
  • OER in Texas  - The Texas OER Playbook will serve as a companion on the journey towards OER awareness and advocacy at your institution.
  • OER Starter Kit  - This starter kit has been created to provide instructors with an introduction to the use and creation of open educational resources (OER). Although some chapters contain more advanced content, the starter kit is primarily intended for users who are entirely new to Open Education.
  • Knowledge is Meant to Be Shared  - This YouTube channel is a space for educators, teachers, librarians, faculty, administrators, advocates, and others – including those who are new to OER and those who have used them for years – to share and access videos that show how OER and practices can be used to engage students and strengthen teaching and learning.