Introduction
With the advancement of digital technologies and the internet, education has become more open and accessible. One such development is the rise of Open Educational Resources (OERs), which provide free and reusable learning materials for students, educators, and self-learners. This post explores what OERs are, the different types of OERs, and the concept of Creative Commons licenses that regulate their use.
What are Open Educational Resources (OERs)?
Open Educational Resources are teaching, learning, and research materials that are freely available to the public, usually under an open license. OERs can be used, adapted, shared, and distributed by anyone without the need to pay or seek permission, as long as they follow the licensing terms.
According to UNESCO, OERs are “teaching, learning and research materials in any medium that reside in the public domain or have been released under an open license that permits no-cost access, use, adaptation and redistribution by others.”
Types of Open Educational Resources
OERs can exist in various formats depending on the educational purpose and the level of learners. The main types include:
1. Open Textbooks
- These are full textbooks made available freely online or in print at low cost.
- Example: OpenStax offers free textbooks in subjects like Physics, Biology, and Mathematics.
2. Open Courseware (OCW)
- These are complete course materials from universities, including lecture notes, reading materials, assignments, and quizzes.
- Example: MIT OpenCourseWare is a well-known repository of free course content.
3. Multimedia Learning Content
- These include videos, podcasts, animations, and simulations that help visualize concepts and enhance learning.
- Example: Khan Academy and YouTube EDU channels provide multimedia OERs.
4. Open Assessments
- These are practice tests, quizzes, and question banks provided freely to learners for self-evaluation.
- Example: Quizizz and OER Commons offer assessments that can be reused and modified.
5. Open Teaching Tools and Software
- This includes open-source Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Moodle, and tools like H5P for creating interactive content.
Creative Commons Licenses
To protect and regulate the use of OERs, creators use Creative Commons (CC) licenses. These licenses let users know what they can and cannot do with the content. The main types are:
1. CC BY (Attribution)
- Allows users to use, share, and adapt the material as long as they give credit to the creator.
2. CC BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike)
- Similar to CC BY but requires new creations to carry the same license as the original.
3. CC BY-NC (Attribution-NonCommercial)
- Allows use and modification for non-commercial purposes only.
4. CC BY-ND (Attribution-NoDerivatives)
- Allows redistribution with credit, but the work cannot be changed or adapted.
5. CC BY-NC-SA / CC BY-NC-ND
- These include combinations of non-commercial use, share-alike, and no derivatives permissions.
Benefits of OERs
- Free and easy access for students and educators
- Promotes lifelong learning and education equity
- Encourages collaboration and sharing of knowledge
- Customizable for local context or individual needs
Conclusion
Open Educational Resources are a major innovation in the education sector, allowing learning materials to be shared, reused, and improved globally. Understanding the types of OERs and Creative Commons licenses helps educators and learners use these resources responsibly and effectively. By embracing OERs, educational institutions can promote inclusive, cost-effective, and high-quality learning opportunities for all.