Are you looking for high-quality, freely accessible teaching materials? Open Educational Resources (OER) offer a valuable solution. OER materials range from textbooks to full courses, providing faculty with the tools to enhance learning and reduce costs for students. Below are some key OER platforms and resources available to educators.
Open Education North Carolina (OENC)
Coordinated by NC LIVE, North Carolina's library cooperative, Open Education North Carolina (OENC) is an initiative that promotes the use of free, open textbooks in higher education. OENC serves institutions across the state, including UNC system schools, NC Independent Colleges and Universities, NC Community Colleges, and public libraries. Supported in part by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), OENC offers cost-saving opportunities while maintaining educational quality.
OER Commons
OER Commons is a public digital library of open educational resources where educators can explore, create, and collaborate to improve curriculum. Whether you need supplemental material or want to build a complete course, OER Commons provides access to a wide range of openly licensed materials, enabling educators to customize content to meet the needs of their students.
Open Educational Resources (OER) Guide
NC LIVE’s OER Guide compiles some of the top OER repositories available today. This guide lists tutorials, textbooks, full courses, and more, organized by subject to help you find exactly what you need. While most resources are openly licensed, some pages also highlight other useful materials that, while not OER, may still benefit your teaching.
If you are looking for ways to integrate OER into your courses, these resources provide a solid starting point.