About
This page offers information and tools to support faculty in creating and adapting Open Educational Resources (OER) for teaching and learning.
For help in creating and or adapting your own OER, please contact your Liaison Librarian
- Library Services for Faculty - Faculty Library TeamA guide designed to welcome faculty to Mohawk College Library with a list of Librarian Liaisons for different schools of expertise.
Creating Your Own OER
Why Create OER?
- Customize content to your specifications.
- Extend your academic profile.
- Provide more relevant and engaging materials to students, while reducing textbook costs.
- Ensure easy access to materials, even before classes begin.
OER Design
- Start with what's there: Explore existing collections with high-quality resources, like eCampus Ontario's Open Textbook Library. Additionally, consider using any offline materials you've already created.
- Make it accessible: Ensure that the resources you create are accessible to all learners. It's often easier to design accessible OER from the start than to modify existing ones.
- Make it adaptable: Making your content modular makes it easier for future users to reuse it. For open textbooks, organize your content by chapter and subchapter, and whenever possible, offer an editable version like .docx or Google Docs.
- Make it open: Clearly display the Creative Commons license for your resource. When incorporating other materials, choose those that are openly licensed. For guidance on selecting an open license, refer to the Licensing page in this guide or consult your Liaison Librarian.
- Make it discoverable: Collaborate with your librarian to choose the best platform for sharing your resource. They can also help you add the right descriptors to make your OER easily discoverable.
- Invite critique: Assess your resource with a rigorous tool like the Comprehensive OER Evaluation Rubric, and invite peers to review it as well. Since OER development is an ongoing process, aim to revisit and update your resource regularly.
- eCampus Ontario: Open LibraryA collection of over 1800 OER resources and over 7000 activities in H5P Studio.
OER Design Resources
- Open Textbook LibraryExplore existing collections with high-quality resources, such as eCampus Ontario’s Open Textbook Library.
- Accessibility Checklist (PDF 47KB opens new tab)The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) mandates that institutions provide all resources in an accessible format "on demand." While no precise guidelines define accessibility, the format must meet the specific needs of the student requesting it.
If instructional resources are not selected with accessibility, they can create barriers that hinder or prevent learning. To help you ensure the resources you develop are accessible to all learners, refer to the Accessibility Checklist.
- Pressbooks User GuideFind answers for common questions you may have while writing and publishing your book with Pressbooks Create.
- BC Campus Self-Publishing GuideA guide for writing and self-publishing an open textbook.
- Toronto Metropolitan University Open Textbook Authoring GuideA Guide on Authoring and Adapting Open Textbooks
- The OER Starter Kit WorkbookIncludes worksheets to help instructors practice skills needed to create open educational resources (OER).
- A Guidebook to Making Open Textbook with StudentsA handbook for faculty interested in practicing open pedagogy by involving students in the making of open textbooks, ancillary materials, or other Open Educational Resources.
OER Authoring Tools
Free
- Pressbooks (Ontario) EDUThe preferred platform for creating and sharing for Ontario educators, Pressbooks, based on WordPress, is an easy-to-use platform for creation and adaptation.
- MERLOTAccess templates for creating tailored websites with a variety of designs, including e-portfolio structures, lesson plans, online courses, and others.
- Open AuthorIncorporate and customize your resources, along with materials from the affiliated OER Commons library, to create new or remixed OER.
- Open Stax HubAdapt, remix, and localize OpenStax textbooks.
- WikibooksAccess wiki-based adaptable open textbooks and create new wiki textbooks.
- Ted-Ed Content Builder ToolAdd TED videos to a lesson builder template, and supplement the video with questions and additional content.
Paid
- PressBooksPublish open textbooks in multiple formats in this content management system that uses WordPress.
- Soft Chalk CloudUse the SoftChalk desktop platform to create your OER, and choose to make it open and public in the SoftChalk Repository (free trial available).