Resource Guides: Open Educational Resources: What are OER?

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Open educational resources (OER)...

Can describe any type of educational resource - textbooks, videos, labs, even entire courses!
Are usually created by educators, libraries, museums / archival organizations, government agencies, publishers, etc.
Can be used and shared freely
Can be revised or remixed with other materials
Usually have Creative Commons licenses or are in the public domain

David Wiley, a long-time proponent of open content, is known for creating the 5Rs definition of OER:

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)

Not all freely available materials are openly-licensed. According to the U.S. Copyright Office, a work is "under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form" - even if it doesn't have a copyright symbol or notice on the page.

All OER should have some sort indication they are openly licensed. This will usually take the form of a Creative Commons license.