LibGuides: Open Educational Resources (OER): Using OER

Integrating OER into a Module

Getting Started

Useful Pointers...

Using OER at first can be daunting because there are so many resources that you can use. If you are considering incorporating open resources into your module, here are some tips on building or adding OER to your classes.

Step 1 :

Set aside time

It takes time to search for these materials. Be persistent, you'll find something useful!

Step 2 :

Check if someone else has created a similar, complete OER course or textbook.

Explore the "Open CourseWare" and "Open Textbooks" sub-tabs under the "Finding OER" tab at the top panel of this guide.
Example: Go to the Open Textbook library and browse their open business texts.

Step 3 :

Take a closer look at your learning objectives.

Focus on what you would like students to know or be able to do. Then think of the textbook that you would like to replace.
You will likely need to search for several materials to address different topics or components of your complete class.

Step 4 :

Search several OER repositories to see what content is available.

Explore the "Finding OER" tab on this guide, for a list of repositories.
Tip*: Explore the browsing tools that the repository or search engine presents to you! Don’t rely solely on keyword searching.
Use the Google “Advanced Search” to search for open resources.

Step 5 :

Look for library materials like e-books, articles and streaming videos to fill in gaps.

Visit the NUS library's portal to search our collection.

Step 6 :

Not finding what you’re looking for? Ask your librarian. askalib3

We are happy to help you source for OER! Send an e-mail to AskaLib@nus.edu.sg or contact a Librarian.

Step 7 :

Consider creating and sharing your own OER.

Browse the sub-tabs labeled More on...Creating (see right panel of this page) for selected guides, checklists, open source tools, software, etc. that are useful for creating texts, videos, images and audio.
Share your OER with a Librarian who will help to add your OER into our library collection.

Adapted from "OER - Open Educational Resources: Adopt" by University of Pittsburgh Library System.

More on Creating...

The following video is intended to help you select compatible resources and choose a valid license for your OER:

"Creating OER and Combining Licenses" The OG Repository is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

80 Open Education Resource (OER) Tools for Publishing and Development Initiatives
"80 online resources that you can use to learn how to build or participate in a collaborative educational effort that focuses on publication and development of those materials."
Affordable Learning Georgia Tutorial: Creating and Modifying Open Educational Resources
An excellent tutorial on how to create your own OER and adapt others' OER to your course.
BCcampus Open Education Accessibility Toolkit
The toolkit provides resources for content creators, instructional designers, educational technologists, librarians, and others to create a truly open textbook that's free and accessible for all students.
Open Education Global
Helpful resources on OER.
Discovering OER Production Workflows
An initiative of the University of Hawaii system, it covers the nitty gritty of the production cycle, how open learning content is actually adopted and modified for use.
OpenLearn (The Open University UK)
After studying this helpful open, modular online course, you should be able to:
-- State personal motivation for producing and using OERs
-- Evaluate some examples of educational resources for active open learning
-- Plan a structured learning experience using a range of resources
-- Produce, release and use OER
-- Understand how to evaluate teaching resources.
TED-Ed Lessons
Covers: What is a TED-Ed lesson? How to create a and manage your TED-Ed lessons?

Image source: "Free the Textbook" by opensourceway is licensed under CC BY-SA

Authoring Open Textbooks
Covers a checklist for getting started, publishing program case studies, textbook organization and elements, writing resources and an overview of useful tools. Include case studies from Open Oregon State and Portland State Universities.
BCcampus Open Education Accessibility Toolkit
Provides resources for content creators, instructional designers, educational technologists, librarians, and others to create a truly open textbook that's free and accessible for all students.
BC Open Textbook Adaption Guide
This guide "...defines the term 'adaptation' and discusses reasons for revising a book, why this is possible with an open textbook, and the challenges involved..."
Guide to Making Open Textbooks with Students
From the Open Textbook Network, the guide is designed for faculty interested in practicing open pedagogy - by involving students in the making of open textbooks, ancillary materials, etc.
How OpenStax books are made
OpenStax editorial director describes the process, from author recruitment to review to publication.
Modifying an Open Textbook: What You Need to Know
Open Textook Network's 5 step guide for faculty wishing to edit or adapt an open textbook.
OER Commons Publishing Tools
Tools for instructors who wish to create open educational resources and textbooks
Open Education Self-Publishing Guide
This BCcampus guide provides details on the preparation, planning, writing, publication, and maintenance of an open textbook.
Open Textbooks Library Review Criteria
Developed by BCcampus, the review criteria include comprehensiveness, content accuracy, relevance longevity, clarity, consistency, modularity, organization structure flow, interface
The Rebus Guide to Publishing Open Textbooks (So Far)
From the Rebus Community, offers comprehensive resources for creating an open textbook.
University of Toronto Open Textbook Toolkit
This toolkit is in an FAQ format and is organized into 6 key sections namely - Starting; Technology; Accessibility; Copyright; Class use; Future Use; Resources.

Tools for Creating Text

InkScape Open
Free and Open Source software that creates and edits PDFs and also is a vector drawing and graphics tool. Good for PDF editing if your document is image-heavy.
LibreOffice
Free and Open Source office suite -"Writer (word processing), Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw (vector graphics and flowcharts), Base (databases), and Math (formula editing)".
LibreOffice Draw
Powerful PDF editor for producing technical drawings, brochures, posters and many other documents.
PressBooks
"Easily create e-books, typeset PDFs, and web books. Choose from professionally designed book themes. One button publishing." Free and priced options.
PubPub
PubPub is a collaborative writing and publishing platform from MIT's Knowledge Futures group. The basic level for free allows for robust drafting, editing, and publishing features, as well as a URL at pubpub.org and e-mail support.
SoftChalk
Can be used to create interactive tutorials and mash up text/media.

Tools for Creating Videos, Images

GIMP
A long standing favourite for editing / manipulating images - from retouching to restoring to creative composites. But Like Photoshop, the learning curve is steep, so check out the GIMP tutorials.
GIMPShop
A free alternative to Photoshop for image editing. The application is built on the GIMP source code, but behaves like Photoshop.
InkScape Open
Free and Open Source software that creates and edits PDFs and also is a vector drawing and graphics tool. Good for PDF editing if your document is image-heavy.
Greenshot
Free, open source tool for taking screenshots and editing and annotating them.
Dia
Free, open source application used to create flowcharts and other kinds of charts and diagrams.
Pixlr
This free photo editing tool is designed to help you achieve quality enhancements.
BeFunky
Collection of tools and features for photo editing, collage making, and graphic design.
Screencast-o-matic
Easily record and edit videos of action on your computer screen.

Tools for Creating Audio

Creating basic audio files will require a microphone, probably a better one than the one that came with your device or computer. Talk to your technical support if you require help in recording sounds that require higher fidelity. You'll also need audio editing software:

Audacity
Open Source audio editing software. Read the Audacity tutorials and the install the LAME codec to save your work in mp file.
Ocenaudio
Ocenaudio is a cross-platform, easy to use, fast and functional audio editor. It is the ideal software for people who need to edit and analyze audio files without complications.

Adapted from: "Open Educational Resources: OER Authoring Tools" by State University of New York Empire State College

Open Educational Resources (OER): Using OER

OER Starter KIt

Integrating OER into a Module

Useful Pointers...

More on Creating...