Open Educational Resources (OER) are freely accessible, openly licensed materials that can be used for teaching, learning, and research. They include a wide range of resources, such as textbooks, course materials, videos, and interactive modules. By adopting OER, you can help reduce costs for students, promote equity by providing access to high-quality educational materials. According to a recent eCampus Ontario report, its OER initiative has saved students over $26 million.
When using OER, it’s essential to be mindful of copyright compliance. Although OER materials are typically free to use, share, and sometimes modify, they may still have specific licensing restrictions. Always review the licensing terms and adhere to any usage guidelines to respect the creator’s rights. Additionally, avoid using resources from unauthorized upload sites, as these materials may infringe copyright laws and jeopardize both you and your students' legal compliance.
For copyright-related questions, please feel free to contact our copyright librarian, Heather Buffett (hbuffett@georgebrown.ca).
While OER offer numerous benefits, they also have some limitations. One major challenge is the inconsistency in quality as not all OER are rigorously reviewed or vetted. Additionally, finding the right OER can be time-consuming, as the sheer volume of available materials may overwhelm educators. There may also be issues with alignment to specific content and learning outcomes of the course, requiring instructors to spend extra time adapting resources. Furthermore, some OER may lack adequate support or supplemental materials, making it harder for students to fully engage with the content.