Teaching Guides & Resources > Online Teaching & Learning > Open Educational Resources (OER)
Best Practices for Using Open Educational Resources (OER)
Understanding OER
- Define OER: Clearly understand the concept of OER and the different types of OER available (textbooks, media, software, etc.).
- Understanding Licensing: Ensure you are familiar with the specific open license attached to the OER. Common licenses include Creative Commons (CC) licenses, which dictate how you can use, modify, and share the resource.
- Explore OER Repositories: Familiarize yourself with online platforms and repositories that host OER.
Curating and Adapting OER
- Quality Assurance: Evaluate OER for accuracy, relevance, and pedagogical effectiveness.
- Adaptation: Take advantage of the flexibility of OER by adapting materials to your course objectives, specific teaching style, and student needs while respecting copyright guidelines.
- Accessibility: Ensure that OER are accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. Use resources that adhere to accessibility standards and offer alternative formats if needed.
Integrating OER into Course Design
- Create Flexible Learning Environments: Incorporate OER to support different learning styles and paces.
- Foster Student Engagement: Utilize interactive OER to promote active learning and critical thinking.
Staying Ahead in the OER Landscape
- Stay Updated: Keep track of new and updated OER resources. The field of open education is dynamic, and new materials are continually being developed.
- Stay Informed about OER Trends: Engage with OER communities, attend workshops, and follow developments in open education to stay informed about best practices and new opportunities.
OER Best Practices
