Learn More about OER
Scholarly Communication Librarian
John Martin
he/him
Contact:
Willis Library, Room 080
1155 Union Circle #305190
Denton, TX 76203-5017
1155 Union Circle #305190
Denton, TX 76203-5017
(940) 565-3980
Website
Common Evaluation Factors
Choosing to use an OER is an important decision. You want to ensure that you are using the best quality resource. Many OER repositories or search engines offer some form of faculty or peer review for the resources, but you may want to complete your own evaluation of the resource. For that reason we have listed common factors to consider when evaluating OERs:
- Discoverability - Is the resource easy for students to find? Did you find it easily the first time? Is there something the Libraries can do to make it easier to find?
- Accessibility - Is the content accessible to all students, especially those with disabilities?
- Authority - Does the author or hosting organization have the appropriate credentials to create the work? Does the author or organization have a good reputation?
- Quality - Is the information in the resource accurate and of good quality? Is the information presented in a way that is easy to understand?
- Appropriateness - Is the content at an appropriate reading level? Is the content at an appropriate level for higher education?
- Usability - Is the resource easy to use for you and the students? It is clear how to navigate between sections of the resource?
- Currency - Was the content created within a reasonable time frame considering the subject area? Is it updated or timely?
- Open Syllabus-OER MetricsOER Metrics tracks the adoption of openly-licensed textbooks and monographs in higher education, using licensing information from the Open Textbook Library and the Directory of Open Access Books.
Example Evaluations
Several non-profits and other similar organizations have created rubrics to assist potential OER users in evaluating these resources. Below are several examples of rubrics that can be used to determine the appropriateness of an OER.
- Evaluating OER RubricQuestions to ask about the OER you are thinking of using.
- Finding Free and Open Resources: Evaluating Resourcesfrom Affordable Learning Georgia
- ISKME's Open Educational Practice RubricThis rubric defines a set of open educational practices that help educators to advance a culture of open education, and to advocate for the potential benefits of open educational resources (OER) in the context of continuous improvement.
Do OER work?
- Tidewater Community College Z-Degree
This community college created an entire Associates Degree program that uses only open educational resources. The success was astounding with over $250,000 in student savings in under 2 years, a lower percentage of student withdrawals compared to courses with non-open textbooks, and higher course completion rates (with a C or better). Review their presentation here and see what a difference OER can make.
- North Dakota University System Open Educational Resources Initiative
The North Dakota University System has committed to a 3-phased plan to improve higher education by reducing textbook costs. For one year of the program they are estimating a cost savings for students of more than $2 million. You can read the news story from Tanya M. Spilovoy, Ed. D. on the WCET Frontiers page through the link above.