The problem:
A solution:
Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching, learning and research materials in any format that reside in the public domain or have been released with an open license that permits access, use, repurposing, and/or redistribution by others with limited or no restrictions (Atkins, Brown & Hammond, 2007). OER can include full courses, course materials, textbooks, interactive materials such as simulations and role plays, databases, software, apps (including mobile apps), websites, videos and any other materials useful for teaching or research.
OER are specifically designed by their creator/s to be free, openly available, and are often licensed to be re-used, re-mixed, and re-distributed. Open is not just about low cost (though that is an important benefit of using OER) but about the ability to take what others have created, customize it for your specific educational needs, and then share your creation with others.
OER can come in a variety of forms:
Primary sources - Images, video, and sound recordings. Some sources are in the public domain, while others have been licensed as open by their creators. In addition, many texts that are in the public domain are available online/electronically.
Learning content - created content that ranges from individual lectures, animations, and assessments to complete courses and textbooks.
For questions or help with finding OER, please contact one of the co-directors of the Viking OER & Textbook Affordability Initiative:
Elizabeth McKeigue, Dean of the Library: emckeigue@salemstate.edu
Gail Rankin, Director of Academic and Educational Technologies: grankin@salemstate.edu
Roopika Risam Associate Professor of Education and Faculty Fellow for Digital Library Initiatives: rrisam@salemstate.edu
For help and advice for finding resources in your specific discipline, go to the Contact a Librarian page to find the subject librarian for your discipline.