What are Open Educational Resources (OER)?
"Open Educational Resources (OERs) are any type of educational materials that are in the public domain or introduced with an open license. The nature of these open materials means that anyone can legally and freely copy, use, adapt and re-share them. OERs range from textbooks to curricula, syllabi, lecture notes, assignments, tests, projects, audio, video and animation" (UNESCO). The public domain status or open license attached to OER lets users download, share, and sometimes remix/edit content without seeking additional permission from the copyright holder.
As of May 2020, UT students are saving an estimated $700,000 each year thanks to faculty across campus who have replaced costly textbooks with OER and zero-cost materials. See more details on OER usage across campus using the dashboard below, and scroll down to learn how you can get involved.
Open Textbooks
Open Educational Resources (OERs)
UT SGA Open Education Awards
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SGA Open Education Awards: Accepting nominations!
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Who has received the SGA Open Education Award?
Grants at UT
The Open Textbook/OER Grant Program helps incentivize adoptions and adaptations of OERs and free, openly-licensed textbooks to save students money and improve the teaching and learning experiences of both instructors and students.
Workshops and Additional Information
Workshops on open educational resources, including open textbooks, are offered by the Office of Information Technology as well as the University Libraries. Check UT's workshop registration system for upcoming workshops.
General information on licensing, copyright, and open textbooks may be directed to Rachel Caldwell in the Scholars' Collaborative, part of the University Libraries.
For additional information, please contact any member of UT's Open Education Working Group:
- Teresa Berry, University Libraries
- Rachel Caldwell, Scholars' Collaborative, University Libraries (chair)
- Jennifer Gramling, Director of Online Programs, Teaching and Learning Innovation
- Stan Guffey, Senior Lecturer, College of Arts & Sciences
- Miriam Larson, Instructional Support, Office of Information Technology
- Molly Royse, University Libraries
- Anna Sandelli, University Libraries
- Elizabeth Spica, UT College of Law
- Grace Therrell, University Libraries
Introduction to OER
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UTK PresentationWhat are Open Educational Resources (OERs)? Why are they important, and where can you find them for your course? Led by Elizabeth Spica in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, this presentation shares the answers and how the UT Open Textbook/OER Grant Program can help support your course’s transition to OER.
OER at UT
What's Happening on Campus?
The UT Libraries joined the Open Education Network on behalf of the university in 2016, helping us work with other member institutions (such as NC State and Virginia Tech) to support the adoption and creation of open textbooks.
Using OER?
What if I've adopted an open textbook?
If you've adopted an open textbook, tell us using this form. The data will help us keep our dashboard current and improve campus resources that support open education. The information will be shared with the Student Government Association, too.