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Open Educational Resources (OER) Student Guide: What Are OER?

"Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think." - Albert Einstein

In this chapter, you will learn:

What Open Educational Resources are and why they matter.

How using OER can save you money and expand your educational horizons.

What role you can play in the open education movement.

Tempting Question: How much could you save on textbooks by using OER?

What is OER?

OER stands for "Open Educational Resources." OER refers to any type of educational materials that are freely available for educators, students, and self-learners to use, share, and modify. These resources can include textbooks, course materials, lesson plans, videos, software, and any other tools, materials, or techniques used to support learning and education.

OER can significantly reduce the cost of education, promote innovation in teaching and learning, and increase access to high-quality educational resources, particularly in areas with limited resources or barriers to traditional educational materials.

chart explaining the similarities and differences in tradional textbooks vs OER. The Word version of the image is available below

What Makes Materials OER?

The key characteristics of OER include:

  • Open Access: OER materials are typically available online for free, allowing anyone to access and use them without cost or access restrictions.
  • Permissions for Reuse: OER materials often come with licenses or permissions that allow users to adapt, modify, and redistribute them, encouraging customization to suit specific educational needs.
  • Collaboration and Sharing: OER communities encourage collaboration and sharing among educators and institutions to improve the quality and availability of educational resources.
  • Accessibility: OER materials are designed to be accessible to a wide range of users, including those with disabilities, to promote inclusivity in education.