A brief video about the pros and cons of Open Educational Resources (OERs)

1. Open Educational
Resources
PAMELA SEGERS
APRIL 2014

2. Opening Doors through OERs
 Open Educational Resources (OERs) are educational resources available
for use by others. These materials can be found in the Public Domain or
have been shared under an Open License:
Course Materials (or full courses)
Course Modules
Images
Tests / Quizzes
Videos
Textbooks

3. Reasons to Use…
 Offer free resources to your students.
 Supplement the material for your own course (traditional or online).
 No longer have to worry about tracking down copyright permissions or
worrying about intellectual property rights liability when searching for new
resources.
 Save yourself some time… no longer reinventing the wheel for certain
subject areas.
 Spice up your course! OERs allow access to quality modules and video
lectures on pertinent topics for your course.

4. Words of Caution…
 Do a critical review of the material you intend to use (Quality Control
Assurance is also peace of mind). Make sure you review it completely.
 Some topics are limited – You may have to create some material to share
yourself through OER.
 You may need to educate others (students, Administration) on the benefits
and quality of OERs for them to embrace its use.
 OERs are only about ten years old – sites will have to be maintained to
keep information updated and fresh.
 Creative Commons are Non-revocable – once you create and put out
there, it is there. Be happy with your final product.

5. The Door is Open…Walk on In!
 We have a social responsibility to assist our students in becoming Lifelong
Learners. What better way than to share Open Educational Resources
with them!
 Open the Door to Lifelong Learning!