Open Educational Resources (OERs)
What Are Open Educational Resources (OERs)?
Open educational resources (OERs) are educational materials that fall under an open license (also known as creative commons). Resources can include textbooks, lecture notes, syllabi, assignment worksheets, and question banks. OERs can also be products that your students produce in the way of wikis, booklets, or other resources that 'live on' after they have finished their semester.
FAQs
Why should I implement OERs in my class?
Most arguments in favor of OERs come down to the cost for students (textbook prices have increased much faster than inflation), and faster access to the textbook in the first few weeks of the semester, which can affect retention.
Another argument is that your OER resources are a curated representation of what you think is most important for the students to learn. OERs also allow for remixing, editing, and contributions; which means that as an instructor, or in conjunction with your students, there is an opportunity to participate in open pedagogical practices as part of the academic community.
How do I implement OERs?
You can search through the Library guide and various databases, and select existing OERs or create your own.
I would like help creating or implementing resources, who should I contact?
Contact us at TeachOnline@stthom.edu and we will help you develop, adopt, and implement OER content and activities.
Where can I find Open Educational Resources?
You can start with the Doherty Library has a Library Guide. We will also offer several resources below.
Open Courseware (OCW)
The OpenCourseWare (OCW) movement began in the United States with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2002. This movement is university-driven, and is focused on making the educational course materials that have been created by faculty available outside of the institution. The materials available vary by course, professor and even semester posed. Materials can include syllabi, written lectures, assignments, readings, videotaped lectures, and audio lectures. These resources are often useful for inspiration and to understand new and different approaches. They also offer tried and true resources such as essay questions, lecture content, etc.
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