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Open Educational Resources

A Staff Guide

What are OER?

Open Educational Resources (OER) are materials that are free to access and use for learning, teaching and research. They can also be adapted and shared with no or few restrictions. OER are usually made available under a Creative Commons licence or are in the public domain.

OER can be in any format and include:

  • ebooks and textbooks
  • teaching and learning materials, including games, lesson plans, worksheets and assessments
  • video
  • audio
  • images

How you use OER

OER meet the 5Rs Framework.

Users are free to:

Retain. Make, own, and control a copy of the resource (e.g., download and keep your own copy).

Revise. Edit, adapt, and modify your copy of the resource (e.g., translate into another language).

Remix. Combine your original or revised copy of the resource with other existing material to create something new (e.g., make a mashup).

Reuse. Use your original, revised, or remixed copy of the resource publicly (e.g., on a website, in a presentation, in a class).

Redistribute. Share copies of your original, revised, or remixed copy of the resource with others (e.g., post a copy online or give one to a friend).

Why use OER?

Play video: Open Educational Resources and Innovation: Why OER? [1:18 mins]

Benefits of OER in teaching and learning include:

  • Reduces costs for students.
  • Removes access barriers due to limited availability of resources and license restrictions.
  • Customises resources to suit your subject focus and students' needs and backgrounds.
  • Includes a wider range of voices and perspectives in course materials, including Indigenous knowledge and student input.
  • Avoids reinventing the wheel.
  • Increases collaboration with peers and sharing with the global community.

OER and the Sustainable Development Goals

The use of OER supports the University of Tasmania's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

OER promote sustainability, inclusivity, equity and collaboration for social good in education.

OER vs Open access

Open access generally refers to free and open online access to academic information such as journal articles and research data. Open access removes paywalls and barriers to reading, printing and sharing, but does not allow users to modify content.

OER are learning and teaching resources that are not only free to access but can also be edited, adapted and repurposed according to their licence.