Open Access E- Books and Other Open Resources

Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching and learning materials that you may freely use and reuse at no cost, and without needing to ask permission. Unlike traditional copyrighted resources, OER has been authored or created by an individual or organization that chooses to allow for re-use and adaptation of their work. New ideas can be dispersed more rapidly and widely, which in turn triggers new research studies; it serves as an impetus for knowledge.

There are many reasons for using OER in learning including:

• expanded access to learning - students anywhere in the world can access OER at any time, and they can access the material repeatedly.
• scalability - OER are easy to distribute widely with little or no cost.
• enhances regular course content - delivery of information in multiple formats may consolidate course content for the student.
• quick circulation - rapid availability of material increases the timeliness and/or relevance of the material being presented.
• showcasing of innovation and talent - a wide audience will be exposed to faculty research interests and expertise.
• continually improved resources - OER can be improved quickly through direct user editing or through solicitation and incorporation of user feedback. Academics can take an existing OER, adapt it for a class, and make the modified OER available for others to use.
• cost savings - students don't need to purchase additional textbooks or books for their classes

What makes an educational resource open?

An open educational resource (OER) is free to access and use and is licensed so that it can be shared and modified. The 5 Rs describe rights that users of OER have: they may Retain, Reuse, Revise, Remix, and Redistribute these materials. 

• Retain - make, own, and control a copy of the resource (e.g., download and keep your own copy)
• Revise - edit, adapt, and modify your copy of the resource (e.g., translate into another language)
• Remix - combine your original or revised copy of the resource with other existing material to create something new (e.g., make a mashup)
• Reuse - use your original, revised, or remixed copy of the resource publicly (e.g., on a website, in a presentation, in a class)
• Redistribute - 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)

This material is an adaptation of Defining the "Open" in Open Content and Open Educational Resources, which was originally written by David Wiley and published freely under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license at http://opencontent.org/definition/. Thanks to Whitman College.