What's Not OER
Below are four key categories of resources that are often considered to fall outside of what is truly OER. Of course, the best mix of materials to meet any given set of learning outcomes will vary and may include a combination of OER and the materials listed below. The key is knowing which resources will best meet your objectives for instruction, and for learners.
Resources that Cannot be Adapted
Through open licensing, the mission of the OER movement is to exploit the full range of the "5 Rs" permissions of use (see prior tab). Some argue that unless an open licence allows for adaptation of content, then the resource is not truly OER.
Web-based Resources that are Fully Copyrighted
All the available resources on the web that you may have access to, but that are not in the public domain, or do not carry a Creative Commons licence or other open licence, are not OER.
Subscription-Based Library Collections
A library's subscription-based resources (journals, videos, and other materials), while accessible to students and faculty, are also not OER. This is because their use in education may be limited by licence agreements.
Open Access Resources
Open access is an important concept, which is related to - but distinct from - OER. Open access typically refers to research publications released under an open licence that allows for their free access and use.
Open access publications sometimes do not allow for adaptation and remixing. While open access articles are freely accessible, authors may retain their copyright and/or assign rights to publishers or users, so permission may be needed for copying and adaptation.