If your question is not addressed below, please reach out to the Textbook Affordability Librarian.
OER offer numerous benefits, including cost savings for students, increased access to quality educational materials, customization for specific courses, inclusion of diverse perspectives, and the ability to promote open collaboration and continuous improvement. Research shows that OER increase student success metrics.
OER encompass a wide range of content, including textbooks, lecture notes, videos, simulations, quizzes, and interactive modules. Smaller pieces of content such as pictures or chapters can be openly licensed as well.
Yes, if something is a true OER, then it is typically published under open licenses like Creative Commons, which grant permission for use, modification, and redistribution, as long as you follow the license terms. Should you have any questions about particular licenses, please reach out to the Textbook Affordability Librarian or Scholarly Communication Librarian.
Creative Commons licenses enable creators to specify how their works can be shared, used, and modified by others while retaining some of the rights typically associated with copyright. OER can be assigned various different licenses, but if content includes a license with the "No Derivatives" (ND) component, then that content typically is not considered OER since it prevents adaptation of the material.
There are similarities between OER and Open Access (OA) content. Both promote free access, and, for example, an OA book or set of journal articles may be used as course material. However, it is important to note that there may be differences in licenses. While OER typically have Creative Commons licenses that permit editing/adapting, OA materials may not have this level of flexibility or permission. It is important to inspect the license or copyright of materials to ensure you provide proper attribution and abide by any usage restrictions. Read more about how we support OA at the UCF Libraries.
Usually this is done by providing credit to the creator, indicating the license type, and including a link to the original source. Make sure to review the OER you intend to use for any specific attribution requirements. The Textbook Affordability Librarian or Scholarly Communication Librarian can consult with you on this process.