Overview
Open Educational Resources (OER) offer no-cost teaching and learning materials that can enrich course concepts, provide diverse perspectives, and support students with additional explanations and practice.
Focus of this guide: Selecting and integrating OER that support course quality, learning outcomes, accessibility, and student engagement.
What Are OER?
OER are teaching, learning, and research materials in the public domain or licensed to allow free use and reuse.
Examples:
- Open textbooks
- Videos and recorded lectures
- Simulations and virtual labs
- Case studies
- Articles and readings
- Interactive learning modules
- Infographics
- Podcasts
- Assessments and question banks
OER can be used as:
1
Primary Course Content
Replace commercial textbooks.
2
Supplemental Resources
Reinforce concepts taught in the course.
3
Enrichment Materials
Offer advanced or alternative perspectives.
4
Student Support Resources
Provide additional explanations and practice.
Benefits of OER in Online Courses
For Students
- Reduce textbook costs.
- Provide immediate access to materials.
- Support different learning preferences.
- Allow concepts to be revisited as needed.
- Offer multiple explanations of complex topics.
For Faculty
- Expand available teaching resources.
- Support learner-centered instruction.
- Enable course customization.
- Provide current, adaptable content.
- Strengthen engagement through multimedia.
Best Practices for Selecting OER
Evaluate each resource before adding it to the course.
1
Align with Course Outcomes
Does the resource support a specific objective, reinforce key concepts, and provide accurate disciplinary content?
Example: Connect the Resource to an Outcome
Course outcome: Analyze leadership theories in organizational settings.
Resource options: Leadership case studies, articles, or presentations on leadership practices.
2
Verify Accuracy and Quality
Review author credentials, source reputation, publication date, references, citations, and content accuracy.
Where to Begin
Look for materials from recognized universities, professional associations, government agencies, and established OER repositories.
3
Ensure Accessibility
- Closed captions for videos and transcripts for audio
- Alternative text for images
- Screen-reader compatibility
- Accessible PDFs and documents
- Readable text and appropriate color contrast
Faculty Responsibility
Ensure that supplemental materials provided to students support accessibility requirements.
4
Keep Resources Relevant and Current
Check that links work, information remains accurate, examples reflect current practice, and resources still align with course content.
When to Review
Review resource links before each course offering.
Using OER Throughout a Module
Choose resources that enhance learning without overwhelming students.
Before
Prepare for learning
Activate Prior Knowledge
Use introductory videos, overview articles, interactive timelines, and background readings to prepare students and build confidence before complex concepts.
During
Reinforce and apply
Explain Concepts and Connect Theory to Practice
Offer alternative explanations through videos, tutorials, textbook chapters, and infographics.
Use case studies, professional interviews, industry reports, and government publications to support real-world application.
After
Practice and reflect
Help Students Check Their Understanding
Provide self-check quizzes, practice exercises, problem sets, reflection prompts, and interactive activities before graded assignments.
Using OER as Supplemental Resources
Optional materials can extend learning without unnecessarily increasing workload.
Support Students Who Need More Help
Provide introductory videos, concept reviews, step-by-step guides, and foundational tutorials.
Suggested Section Label: “Need More Help?”
Offer additional support without stigmatizing students.
Challenge Advanced Learners
Offer advanced readings, research studies, expert interviews, and emerging trends.
Suggested Section Label: “Explore Further”
Give interested students opportunities to deepen their understanding.
Provide Multiple Perspectives
Include international case studies, cross-cultural examples, different theoretical perspectives, and interdisciplinary resources to encourage critical thinking and meaningful discussion.
Organizing OER in the LMS
Group resources by purpose so students can quickly see what to review and why.
Module Overview
Learning objectives and required course materials
Supplemental Learning Resources
Watch
Short videos and recorded presentations
Read
Articles and open textbook sections
Practice
Interactive exercises and knowledge checks
Explore Further
Optional enrichment resources
Communicating Expectations to Students
Clearly label the role of each resource to reduce confusion and help students manage their time.
Required
Students must review the resource.
Example: “Review this article before participating in the discussion.”
Recommended
Students are encouraged to review the resource.
Example: “This video provides an additional explanation of this week’s concept.”
Enrichment
Optional materials for deeper learning.
Example: “Explore this case study if you are interested in current industry applications.”
Avoiding Common OER Challenges
Resource Overload
Curate carefully. Explain how each resource supports learning rather than posting a long list of links without guidance.
Misalignment
Connect each resource to learning outcomes, assignments, discussions, or assessments.
Broken Links
Verify URLs, embedded videos, and interactive activities. Maintain an updated resource list each term.
Accessibility Concerns
Review resources for accessibility before posting and provide alternative formats whenever possible.
OER Repositories and Resource Collections
The guide identifies these sources as places to begin exploring materials.
- OER Commons
- OpenStax
- MERLOT
- LibreTexts
- Open Textbook Library
- SkillsCommons
- BCcampus Open Education
- Pressbooks Directory
- Smithsonian Open Access
- National Academies Open Publications
Putting OER into Practice
Thoughtfully selected OER can reinforce course concepts, provide additional practice, support diverse learners, and connect learning to real-world applications. Align each resource with course outcomes, ensure accessibility, and clearly explain its purpose.
Before adding a resource: Use this checklist to confirm that it adds value to the learning experience.
- Post clear weekly instructions
- Use consistent communication
- Foster an inclusive environment
- Provide multiple participation opportunities
- Report accessibility barriers promptly
- Apply accommodations as approved
- Grade using established criteria
- Focus on learning outcomes
- Use transparent rubrics
- Maintain consistency for all students