Exploring OER Guide

This playbook outlines the steps for finding, utilizing, and contributing to Open Educational Resources (OER). It is designed to help individuals enhance their own knowledge and support the learning of others.

Step 1: Research OER

Conduct online research to understand what Open Educational Resources (OER) are and how they benefit the learning community. Educational websites, scholarly articles, and OER platforms can provide valuable insights.

Step 2: Find Resources

Use search engines, dedicated OER repositories, and educational platforms to locate OER that align with your learning objectives or teaching goals.

Step 3: Evaluate Quality

Assess the quality and relevance of the resources found. Consider factors such as credibility of the source, accuracy of content, and licensing.

Step 4: Use OER

Incorporate the resources in your learning or teaching process. This could involve studying the material, integrating it into lesson plans, or creating new content based on the resources.

Step 5: Create Content

Develop your own educational content inspired by what you've learned or gaps you've identified. Your creation should adhere to OER guidelines.

Step 6: License Contribution

Choose an appropriate open license for your educational content to ensure it is freely accessible and reusable by others.

Step 7: Share OER

Distribute your contribution through OER platforms, educational websites, and social media. Engage with the OER community to get feedback and make improvements.

General Notes

OER Platforms

Familiarize yourself with popular OER platforms such as OpenStax, OER Commons, and Merlot to streamline the search process.

Creative Commons

Understand the various Creative Commons licenses to properly use and share OER materials.

Community Engagement

Engaging with the OER community can provide support, collaboration opportunities, and insights into best practices.