What are Open Educational Resources (OER)?
OER commonly refers to a freely available online resource specifically supporting an educational purpose. OERs often include learning content, tools and/or implementation resources (OECD, 2007). OA is a broader term referring to freely available scholarly content online ( It is likely that the definitions of both terms will continue to evolve as new resources and new delivery methods are created.
This page lists some common open multidisciplinary repositories. Most of resources in these links fulfill all the expectations of an OER, with learning tools such as student assessments, but some may not.
Can I replace my textbook with an OER?
Yes! Many faculty replace their textbooks with an OER to save their students money. While most are peer-reviewed, please check the source for quality. If you have additional sites to recommend, please let us know! Also, you may find these helpful if you are looking for just a few supplemental readings or learning objects (lesson plans, handouts) to enhance your teaching.
Also check the subject specific libguides and your subject librarian for additional recommendations.
Search several sites at once. Enter a few words that describe the course you are teaching, such as "Introduction to Psychology."
Tip: Select the advanced search link for more targeted searching. Some of these sources do not meet the traditional definition of OER, but may provide content supporting an educational purpose.
