Open Educational Resources (OER)

"Open Educational Resources are teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license that permits their free use and repurposing by others. OER include full courses, course materials, modules, textbooks, streaming videos, tests, software, and any other tools, materials, or techniques used to support access to knowledge." (William and Flora Hewlett Foundation)

This guide introduces OER and provides information and resources that may help readers:

• Learn more about OER and related outcomes and opportunities 
• Find and consider OER for use in academic course instruction. 
• Share and learn about OER adoptions by CSU faculty and instructors.
• Identify avenues and support for authoring and publishing OER.
• Navigate copyright and licensing when using or creating OER.
• Access a growing body of research concerning OER. 
• Advocate for the adoption of OER.
• Identify resources for students who are interested in OER. 

1:39 mins. The Council of Chief State School Officers. CC BY 4.0

3:48 mins. The Council of Chief State School Officers. CC BY 4.0

Colorado State University is a member of the Open Textbook Network, which "promotes access, affordability, and student success through the use of open textbooks" (Open Textbook Network).

• Camille Flanders, who explored content inclusions and ideas for this guide as part of her spring 2016 Masters of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) internship with the CSU Libraries. 
• Merinda McLure, who is responsible for the initial creation of this guide and its contents during her time in the CSU Libraries as the Open Educational Resources (OER) Librarian.