Open Educational Resources (OERs)


Open Educational Resources, or OERs, offer a cost-effective, flexible, and high-quality alternative to traditional course materials, providing instructors with a valuable tool to enhance their teaching and improve student learning outcomes. There are several advantages to using open educational resources:

  • Affordability: One of the main advantages of using OERs is that they are free to access and use, which can help reduce the financial burden on students who might struggle to afford expensive textbooks and course materials.
  • Customization: Instructors can modify and adapt OERs to suit their specific teaching needs, making it easier to align course materials with learning objectives, update content regularly, and create a more engaging learning experience for students.
  • Quality: OERs are often developed and reviewed by experts in their field, ensuring that the content is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to the course subject matter.
  • Stability: OERs are much more stable than YouTube videos and private websites that may be changed or removed without warning
  • Accessibility: OERs are typically available in multiple formats, making them accessible to a wider range of learners, including those with disabilities, those with limited access to technology, and those who prefer to learn through different modalities. However, it is necessary to perform do due diligence and ensure that OERs are accessible.
  • Copyright Licensing: OERs are designed to be used in educational settings, and are under copyright licenses that allow and encourage their use, as opposed to a large percentage of textbooks and videos available online.

More information on Open Educational Resources

Open Educational Resources Ready for Use