Open Educational Resources (OER)

What is OER?

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or are under copyright that have been released under an open license, that permit no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, adaptation and redistribution by others. The James E. Walker Library supports educators in identifying, using, customizing, creating, and publishing OER.

Examples of OER include:

• Textbooks
• Streaming media
• Lecture slides
• Quizzes & assignments
• Games

Opencontent.org states that true OER are free to access and allow for the 5Rs of open content:

1. Reuse: use the content in a wide range of ways
2. Remix: combine original or revised content with other material to create something new
3. Redistribute: share copies of the original content, revisions, or remixes with others
4. Revise: adapt, adjust, modify, or alter the content itself
5. Retain: make, own, and control copies of the content

Want to learn more?

• Schedule an OER consultation by emailing Ginelle Baskin, Student Success & Open Education Librarian, at Ginelle.Baskin@mtsu.edu
• Sign up for the OER listserv to receive OER news and updates