Skip to Main Content

Gibson D. Lewis Library Libguides

OER- Open Educational Resources

This guide provides an overview of OER, publication options, and where to locate OER.

Adaptation

Adaptation is a bit more complicated than simply adopting a resource. While you do not have to make changes to an existing OER, you may find that you want to in order to provide a greater depth of coverage or clarification to information.  Below are some important things to consider when adapting an OER or multiple OER.

  1. Find your resource - locate your resource in the same way that you would for an OER that you want to adopt.
  2. Check and understand the license - OER are almost always published under a creative commons license.  i t is important to know what each license allows.  The library has a libguide that has been created to help navigate copyright.  You can access it here.  You can also contact the library via the email me button or ask the librarian for help understanding and navigating copyright.
  3. Check the file format - Does the file type allow for editing?  Some file formats that you may encounter include: HTML, Pressbook, EPUB, PDF, Google Docs, Microsoft Word documents, etc.
  4. Plan your changes - It is important to plan the changes that you want to make to your selected resource.  By having a plan you should be able to manage the project.
  5. Track your changes - This is important since you will have to attribute your work and the works or others that you are using.  
  6. Check your work for accessibility - If at all possible run your OER through an accessibility checker.
  7. Publish your work - There are many ways to do this.  One way is to provide the library with a copy of your document for inclusion in UNTHSC Scholar our digital repository.  The library can also help you publish your document using Open Author in the OERTX Repository.
  8. Distribute your OER- Distribute your OER to your students via the permanent link created by the library or the publishing platform of your choosing.

Ways to Adapt OER

OER adaption ideas are nearly limitless due to the digital nature of OER.  Changes can be something as small as changing graphics, chapter titles, removing a single chapter, or adding your personal notes.  You do not have to rewrite or create an OER from scratch to adapt an existing one to your needs.