Open educational resources (OER) are teaching, learning, and research resources available in the public domain or licensed through Creative Commons, so anyone is free to use or re-purpose them. OER are often incorporated by faculty to replace course textbooks or readings. Broadly, OER can incorporate any tools or materials used to support learning, including:
Many students cannot purchase required textbooks for courses and opt to go without, decreasing their success in a class. Given the high cost of textbooks, OER enables faculty to lessen the financial burden that students face by creating a zero cost course to increase student success and student retention. OER also provide faculty flexibility and creative customization when planning course content.
The OER Adoption Project aims to encourage faculty to adopt, modify, or create zero-cost textbook materials.
While this usually means using Open Education Resources such as OpenStax or the Open Textbook Library, it can also include library database materials or eBooks.
The IU South Bend Libraries and the University Center for Excellence in Teaching offer three funding options to help faculty incorporate OER into their courses:
Adopt an existing OER resource (Replace all paid textbooks in the course).
$500
Modify or Update an existing OER.
$1,000
Create and license an original OER.
$2,000
If adopting an OER faculty will be paid when the syllabus is submitted to the committee. If modifying or creating OER, you will receive half of the payment at the start and the remainder when the project is submitted for inclusion into IU Scholarworks. This funding will come as a salary addition with taxes taken out.
Due to limited funds, priority will be given to adoption and modification projects. Creation awards will only be given in rare circumstances where the faculty member has demonstrated that by creating an OER for their course they are fixing a gap in the OER literature.
To apply, complete an OER application.
Questions about this project? Contact Julie Feighery at jmfelli@iu.edu.
The library has identified numerous textbook alternatives (including some OER materials) that we encourage you to explore.
Questions about OER or textbook alternatives? Contact Julie Feighery at jmfelli@iu.edu.
Please consider supporting the IU South Bend Libraries OER Initiative. Your support will allow the library to continue distributing the financial award to faculty for the creation, adoption, or modification of OER into their courses, ultimately benefiting IU South Bend students. Research findings indicate that OER helps all students by:
To give, click on the Give Now button below. You will be prompted to select the Franklin D. Schurz Fund.
Or send a check to the Franklin D. Schurz Library, c/o The IU Foundation, PO Box 6460, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Please designate the Franklin D. Schurz Fund on the check.
Last reviewed: 01/2025
