Open educational resources (OER) are teaching, learning and research resources that are available in the public domain or that have been licensed in such a way that anyone is free to use or re-purpose them. OER are any tools or materials used to support learning, including:
Given the high cost of textbooks, OER enables faculty to decrease the financial burden that students face, increasing student success and student retention. It also allows faculty flexibility and creative opportunities when planning course content.
The library has identified numerous textbook alternatives (including some OER materials) that we encourage you to explore.
In the past few years, IU South Bend faculty could apply for Open Educational Resource Grants, which provided up to $3,000 for the creation of new OER materials. They also could attend a month-long workshop held in the summer at UCET to learn how to identify OER, along with IU eTexts and integrate them into their courses. Completion of the workshop came with a $1,200 stipend from IU South Bend's Office of Academic Affairs. The grants and workshops are currently on hold for 2020.
Last reviewed: 04/2020
