What are Open Educational Resources (OER)?
OER are teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or are released under an intellectual property license that permits their free use and repurposing by others. OER can include textbooks, supplemental materials, teaching materials, test and question banks, and more!
Why use OER?
Using OER allows students to have materials before the first day of class and to have access to materials 24/7 from any internet connection. The use of OER removes financial obstacles to course materials and allows instructors to customize materials to match their teaching style and learning needs of their students.
How can I start using OER?
The UC Merced Library and the Center for Engaged Teaching and Learning (CETL) are collaborating to offer the Zero-Cost Course Materials Grant to support the adoption of OER and use of UC Merced Library licensed electronic resources to reduce textbook and learning materials costs to $0.
- $1,000 one-time award for the adoption of an existing OER and/or use of Library licensed materials.
- $1,500 one-time award for modifying an existing OER. OER may be modified by editing or creating content such as additional chapters, modules, question banks, or lecture slides.
Faculty with successful proposals will start planning in Fall 2018, with zero-cost materials first used during the 2019 spring semester. The Zero-Cost Course Materials Grant is a 3-year pilot program.
An information session will take place on Thursday, September 13, 2018 from 12 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. in KL 371 and via Zoom.
More information about OER and the Zero-Cost Course Materials Grant
