Open Educational Resources (OER) are "teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under a license that permits their free use, reuse, modification, and sharing with others." (US Dept of Education, 2017). OER come in many types and formats of resources including:
Textbooks / Courses / Course Materials / Lesson Plans / Videos / Tests / Software / & more
- Cost Savings – OER eliminate the cost of textbooks and educational materials, making education more affordable for students.
- Accessibility – These resources are available online, ensuring that anyone with internet access can use them.
- Customization & Adaptability – Educators can modify OER to suit specific teaching needs and update them as necessary.
- Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing – OER encourage global collaboration among educators and institutions.
- Increased Learning Opportunities – Learners from diverse backgrounds can access high-quality educational materials at no cost.
- Support for Lifelong Learning – People outside formal education can use OER to continue learning new skills and knowledge.
- Diversity & Inclusion – OER can be translated and adapted to different cultural and linguistic contexts, promoting inclusivity.
Appointed by the Provost, members of the OER Committee establish overall policy and guidelines for the implementation and expansion of OER course materials.
Members include:
- Amber Gruszeczka, ±¬ÁÏ¹Ï Libraries, Co-chair
- Jasmine Kirby, ±¬ÁÏ¹Ï Libraries, Co-chair
- Andrew Bennett, Strome College of Business
- Jonathan Lee, Darden College of Education and Professional Studies
- Eva Maddox, Ellmer College of Health Sciences
- Jennifer Whytlaw, College of Arts and Letters
- Suzanne Van Orden, Ellmer School of Nursing
- Janet Moloney, College of Sciences
- Dimitrie Popescu, Batten College of Engineering and Technology
- TBD, Joint School of Public Health
- M'hammed Abdous, Center for Faculty Development
- TBD
- Kate Escobar, University Village Bookstore
- Marissa Jimenez, ex officio for Academic Affairs
Upcoming Events and News
Open Textbook Workshop on November 19th via Zoom
Are you making course materials decisions for the next academic year? You're invited to attend an Open Textbook Workshop on Wednesday, November 19th, 12-1pm via Zoom where we will explore the variety of and need for open textbooks. You'll learn about adopting or adapting an existing textbook for your course/s and the power of creative commons licenses. By attending the workshop, you will be eligible to receive a $200 stipend from the Open Education Network for writing a short review of an existing open textbook from the after the workshop (one stipend per calendar year per faculty member).
Learn more about
Contact Amber Gruszeczka (agruszec@odu.edu) with questions or for more information.