An Introduction to Open Educational Resources (OER)
Imagine a world where anyone, anywhere, can access free but high-quality educational materials. That’s the promise of Open Educational Resources (OER)! OER are free, openly licensed teaching and learning materials that are reshaping education as we know it, making knowledge more accessible and inclusive for everyone. But what exactly are OER, where did they come from, and how are they impacting higher education? Let’s dive in!
What is Open Educational Resources (OER)?
OER is educational material that anyone can use, share, and adapt for free. Think textbooks, videos, lecture slides, assignments, quizzes—basically, anything you’d find in a classroom. The magic of OER lie in their open licensing (often through Creative Commons, or CC), which means you can not only access them but also remix or customize them to fit your needs (depending on the CC license.) Want to translate a textbook into another language or add a few local examples? No problem!
At its core, OER is all about openness and sharing. It’s the idea that knowledge is better when it’s free and accessible to everyone, not locked behind a paywall.
Where did OER come from?
OER have been around for a while, but their story really began in the early 2000s. In 2001, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) launched MIT OpenCourseWare (open in new tab) project, making many of its course materials freely available online. It was a game-changer—suddenly, people around the globe could access world-class educational resources for free.
A year later, UNESCO officially coined the term “Open Educational Resources” during its first global forum on open courseware. The year also marked the launch of Creative Commons (open in new tab). This sparked a global movement to create, share, and use open resources. Governments, universities, and nonprofits jumped on board, realizing that OER could level the playing field, especially for underserved communities. See UNESCO Open Education Resources for more info (open in new tab).
Creative Commons
Creative Commons (CC) offers free licenses that let creators share their work while controlling how it’s used.
We will delve into the different types of CC licenses in a future post.
How is OER transforming higher education?
OER are doing amazing things in higher education. Here are some examples on how they’re making a difference:
Making education affordable
Textbooks are expensive—really expensive. For many students, the cost of course materials can be a real barrier. OER eliminate that barrier, giving students free access to the resources they need. This can save students hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars per semester.
Customizing learning
One size doesn’t fit all, and that’s where OER shine. Instructors can tweak OER to fit their students’ needs, adding relevant examples or simplifying complex ideas. This flexibility makes learning more inclusive and personalized.
Encouraging collaboration
With OER, educators don’t have to reinvent the wheel. They can share resources, build on each other’s work, and create better materials together. Platforms like OpenStax and OER Commons make it easy to collaborate across institutions and even countries.
Improving learning outcomes
Research shows that students who use OER perform just as well—or even better—than those using traditional materials (see references). Why? Because OER are free and accessible from day one, ensuring all students have what they need to succeed.
Supporting lifelong learning
Education doesn’t stop after graduation. OER are available to anyone, whether you’re a university student or a curious learner brushing up on skills. That’s especially important in today’s fast-changing job market.
Making education affordable
OER eliminate the barrier of costly textbooks, giving students free access to the resources they need.
The challenges of OER
As great as OER are, there are some who challenge the notion of them. Here are a few common criticisms:
Quality concerns: Since anyone can create and share OER, some resources might not meet academic standards. While many OER platforms include peer review, the quality can vary.
Sustainability issues: Developing and maintaining OER takes time and money. Many projects rely on grants or volunteer efforts, which isn’t always sustainable in the long run.
Awareness and training: Not all educators know about OER, and those who do might feel overwhelmed by the idea of finding or adapting them. Training and support are key to increasing adoption.
Technology barriers: OER depend on internet access and digital devices. For students in areas with limited technology, accessing OER can still be a challenge.
Why OER matter
OER are more than just free textbooks—they’re a way to make education accessible, inclusive, and innovative. They empower students and give educators the freedom to teach in creative ways. While challenges remain, the potential of OER to transform learning is too big to ignore.
So, whether you’re a student, an educator, or just someone passionate about learning, take a closer look at OER. You might just find the resources you’ve been looking for—or be inspired to create your own!
Here is a list of OER resources for you to explore:
OER in organizational learning and development
In the context of organizational learning, OER provides a cost-effective and flexible way to upskill employees and foster a culture of continuous learning. By utilizing openly licensed materials such as training modules, videos, and interactive tools, organizations can customize content to meet their specific needs, align with organization goals, and address diverse learning preferences. OER also encourages knowledge sharing and collaboration across teams, breaking down silos and promoting innovation. While OER is an area that has not yet been widely explored in the organizational context, with access to high-quality resources at little to no cost, organizations can empower employees to stay competitive in an ever-evolving workplace.
Potential applications of OER in organizational learning and development
Customized onboarding programs: Use OER to design tailored onboarding materials that align with organizational culture and processes, ensuring new employees have the tools they need to succeed from day one.
Leadership development: Leverage open courses and case studies to train leaders in critical skills like decision-making, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking.
Continuous skills development: Provide employees with access to open resources on topics like digital literacy, project management, or emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence) to keep skills current and relevant.
References:
Colvard, N. B., Watson, C. E., Association of American Colleges and Universities, Park, H., & Ewha Womans University. (n.d.). The impact of open educational resources on various student success metrics. In International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (No. 2; Vol. 30, pp. 262–276). https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1184998.pdf
Hilton, J. (2016). Open educational resources and college textbook choices: a review of research on efficacy and perceptions. Educational Technology Research and Development, 64(4), 573–590. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-016-9434-9
Phalfert. (2024, September 5). A primer on Open Education, its history and benefits - YFile. YFile. Retrieved January 23, 2025, from https://www.yorku.ca/yfile/2018/02/15/a-primer-on-open-education-its-history-and-benefits/
Publications | OCUL: Ontario Council of University Libraries. (n.d.). Retrieved January 23, 2025, from https://ocul.on.ca/publications
The adoption of open educational resources by one community college math department. (2013). In Vol 14 | No 4 Sept/13 (pp. 38–39).
Weller, M., De Los Arcos, B., Farrow, R., Pitt, B., & McAndrew, P. (2015). The impact of OER on teaching and learning practice. Open Praxis, 7(4), 351. https://doi.org/10.5944/openpraxis.7.4.227