Open (and Alternative) Educational Resources (NPU)

Openly Available Sources Integrated Search (OASIS) is a search tool that aims to make the discovery of open content easier.

OASIS currently searches open content from 91 different sources and contains 365,241 records.

"Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license that permits their free use and re-purposing by others.

They include full courses, course materials, modules, textbooks, streaming videos, tests, software, and any other tools, materials, or techniques used to support access to knowledge."  - Hewlett Foundation

The terms "open content" and "open educational resources" describe any copyrightable work (traditionally excluding software, which is described by other terms like "open source") that is licensed in a manner that provides users with free and perpetual permission to engage in the 5R activities:

1. Retain - the right to make, own, and control copies of the content (e.g., download, duplicate, store, and manage)
2. Reuse - the right to use the content in a wide range of ways (e.g., in a class, in a study group, on a website, in a video)
3. Revise - the right to adapt, adjust, modify, or alter the content itself (e.g., translate the content into another language)
4. Remix - the right to combine the original or revised content with other material to create something new (e.g., incorporate the content into a mashup)
5. Redistribute - the right to share copies of the original content, your revisions, or your remixes with others (e.g., give a copy of the content to a friend)

This material was created by David Wiley and published freely under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license at opencontent.org .
OER illustration License information: OER Global Logo by Jonathas Mello is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Unported 3.0 License

They can't be that good if they're free, right?
Only you can tell if a book is good, open or not. What we can say is that faculty who reviewed textbooks in the OTL have given high ratings.

How do I know if a book is "good"?
The best way is to review for yourself - the books are free online. Also look at reviews on the OTL. 

Is the quality the same as other textbooks?
There is a growing number of studies that show that students have the same or better learning outcomes when using open textbooks. But only you can judge quality for your own course.

What about our campus bookstore? If we support this effort, won't they go out of business?
Bookstores are already facing many challenges, since students look off campus for cheaper books. Open textbooks are actually an opportunity for bookstores to get more students to buy on campus.

Can students order a print copy?
Yes, there are many on-demand online print services, or students could print out only the parts they want at home.

How often are they updated?
Depends on the book. One of the great things about open textbooks is that you can update them yourself--an instructional designer or librarian might be able to help!

Are there accessible versions for disabled users?
Open content has huge potential to increase Accessible content on campus. Unlike traditional materials, it is not locked down and can be adapted and reformatted without extra permission.

How can I edit these?
You will likely need some technical assistance to edit an open textbook. Contact your librarian for assistance!

From Open Textbook Network (2018). "Tough Questions Cheat Sheet" Retrieved from the OTN Resources Google folder.

• Unesco Website on Open Educational Resources (OER)
• About OER logo