Open Educational Resources (OER): OER Basics

What are OER?

UNESCO's definition of OER:

"Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or are under copyright that have been released under an open license, that permit no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, adaptation and redistribution by others." 

Consider watching this brief video introduction to OER from UNESCO 

The 5 Rs of OER

Being free isn’t the only thing that makes OER “open.” What truly defines OER is the set of permissions they grant to users. These are known as the 5 Rs of OER, which describe what users are allowed to do with the content. The 5 Rs are:

• Reuse: Anyone can reuse the content
• Revise: Users can adapt, edit, revise, or otherwise modify the content
• Remix: Multiple OER can be combined and edited together, creating something new
• Redistribute: Users can freely share the original or modified OER content with others
• Retain: Users are allowed to make and keep copies of the content indefinitely

Examples of OER

• Textbooks
• Syllabi
• CourseWare
• Lab Manuals
• Assignments and quizzes
• And much more!

Benefits of OER

OER offer benefits for both students and instructors, helping to support more accessible, engaged, and meaningful learning and teaching.

OER can:

• Save students money on their textbook costs

• Provide immediate, day-one access to learning materials

• Allow instructors to adapt and customize content to fit the needs of their students

• Allow instructors to collaborate with peers and even their own students to create and improve upon high-quality course materials

Need help finding, adapting, or creating open educational resources? Contact us for help!

oer@usu.edu