Research Guides: Open Educational Resources: Creating OER

Where to Start

OER creation typically falls into one of three categories:

Converting existing resources to OER. Reuse permissions are the main difference between an open resource and a closed one. Creative Commons (CC) licenses make it easy for creators to grant broad reuse permissions for virtually any creative work. The easiest way to create OER is to apply CC licenses to course materials that you have already created.
Adapting existing OER. In many cases, openly-licensed resources already exist on a given topic, and they may only need to be revised or remixed to suit the needs of a specific course. For instance, if an instructor wants to create an open textbook on research methods for psychology students, it might be simplest to start with an existing open textbook on research methods and then adapt it to include domain-specific examples from the field of psychology.
Creating new OER. If the needs of a specific course are not met by existing OER, then the best option may be to create something new. This is the most complex form of OER creation, and also potentially the most powerful, especially when the new resource represents an original contribution that can be reused and built upon by a broad population of teachers and learners.

Create Your Own OER

Some instructors have taken the idea of Open Educational Resources and decided to create their own textbook, video, or other resource. If you decide to do the same, these are some items which might help.

Authoring Open Textbooks
The Open Textbook Network has an excellent guide on Authoring Open Textbooks.
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Authors: Melissa Falldin, Karen Lauritsen
Description: This guide is for faculty authors, librarians, project managers and others who are involved in the production of open textbooks in higher education and K-12. Content includes a checklist for getting started, publishing program case studies, textbook organization and elements, writing resources and an overview of useful tools.
Copyright: 2017 by Open Textbook Network
Modifying an Open Textbook: What You Need to Know
This is a five-step guide for faculty, and those who support faculty, who want to modify an open textbook. Step-by-step instructions for importing and editing common open textbook file and platform types are included.
BCcampus Open Education Self-Publishing Guide
The BCcampus Open Education Self-Publishing Guide is a reference for individuals or groups wanting to write and self-publish an open textbook.This guide provides details on the preparation, planning, writing, publication, and maintenance of an open textbook.
A Guide to Making Open Textbooks with Students
A handbook for faculty interested in practicing open pedagogy by involving students in the making of open textbooks, ancillary materials, or other Open Educational Resources. This is a first edition, compiled by Rebus Community, and we welcome feedback and ideas to expand the text.
Guidelines for Creating and Sharing Open Educational Resources
A list of steps and resources to create and share OER.
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A guide from the Center for Open Educational Resources & Language Learning (COERLL), housed at The University of Texas at Austin.
COERLL Modules This is a series of modules from COERLL, and is a developing resource for language educators who are interested in using and creating Open Educational Resources (OER). The modules describe the practices COERLL currently recommends to language educators who are developing OER, and will be updated as new techniques and methods emerge.
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A series of modules from the Center for Open Educational Resources & Language Learning (COERLL), housed at The University of Texas at Austin.