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Open Educational Resources (OER)

OER v. Open Access

Open Educational Resources (OER)

OER stand for Open Educational Resources. OER materials can be used, remixed, and distributed at no cost because the original creator maintains few of their rights as owners. Many OER materials have a Creative Commons License. 

The term OER can refer to any educational material that is freely available, from textbooks, syllabi, full courses, activities, worksheets, etc.

Open Access

Open access refers to free access and unrestricted use of information, particularly research and scholarly content.

According to the definition by UNESCO, a publication is considered "open access if:"

  • it's universally and freely accessible with no cost to the reader
  • the creator or copyright owner irrevocably grants to all users the rights to reuse, copy, or distribute the information as long as attribution is given
  • it is available immediately in full in an electronic form and placed in at least one internationally recognized open access repository

The 5 R's of OER

What does "Open" mean in OER?

Open Education Resources are more than just free resources. They are open to be able to reuse and remix. To meet the definition of OER, materials must be in the public domain, or licensed to enable the 5 R's:

  1. Retain - make, own, and control a copy of the resource (e.g. download and keep your own copy)
  2. Revise - edit, adapt, and modify your copy of the resource (e.g. translate into another language)
  3. Remix - combine your original or revised copy of the resource with other existing material to create something new (e.g.- make a mashup)
  4. Reuse - use your original, revised, or remixed copy of the resource publicly (e.g. on a website, in a presentation, in a class)
  5. Redistribution - share copies of your original, revised, or remixed copy of the resource with others (e.g. post a copy online or give one to a friend)