What are open educational resources (OER)?

Open Educational Resources (OER) are defined as educational materials that are freely accessible and come with open licenses, allowing users to engage with, modify, and redistribute the content. This open-access framework encourages collaboration and sharing among educators and learners, facilitating a more inclusive and adaptable learning environment.

The essence of OER lies in their accessibility; they can include a wide range of materials such as textbooks, lessons, courses, videos, and software that are created for anyone to use and adapt. By providing these resources at no cost, OER significantly lowers barriers to education and promotes lifelong learning among diverse populations. The open licensing also empowers users to customize resources to meet specific educational needs, further enhancing their utility in various teaching and learning contexts.

In contrast, paid resources would entail a financial barrier, exclusive content would limit access to a select group of users (often in private institutions), and simply offering textbooks online does not encompass the broader definition of what constitutes OER. Therefore, the definition associated with open educational resources clearly indicates their role in promoting accessibility and collaborative educational practices.