Central Texas College



Identifying and Using Open Educational Resources (OERs)In addition to providing a list of resources for identifying OERs, the CTC Library website has a searchable database and films on demand, all of which may be considered as master courses are adapted for OERs. OERs may be in various forms, to include courses, entire books, articles, lecture notes, websites, and media (PowerPoint presentations, audio recordings, and videos). CoursesIt’s best not to use courses for a number of reasons. These are just a few: The format and structure will invariably be different from the CTC model. Blackboard would still have to be used for single log in and to provide the syllabus and other required information. Transitioning students to the “course” might be confusing and difficult for students to navigate.The course description and learning outcomes may not be compatible with those specified in the Lower Division Academic Course Guide Manual (LDACGM) or the Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM).Changes to the course may not be allowed.TextbooksOER textbooks may be preferable because they emulate what faculty and students are familiar with, but unfortunately, they are not available for all disciplines. When choosing a textbook, look for one that is offered in multiple delivery methods to give the students viable options: OnlineDownloadablePrint (cost is ok because this is a student choice)Through an app store (optional)Ensure that e-books don’t require plug ins or special software.A source for books in lower-level science, mathematics, social and behavioral science courses is Open Stax at . OpenStax is a nonprofit educational initiative based at Rice University, that through partnerships with philanthropic foundations and alliance with other educational resource companies, provides high-quality, peer-reviewed, openly licensed college textbooks that are absolutely free online and low cost in print.Be aware that just like publisher textbooks, OER textbooks may require some supplementation. This is not necessarily a bad thing because access to different types of resources and slightly different explanations can enhance student engagement and success. Books used for courses such as British Literature or American Literature may be available at Project Gutenberg at . Per the site, “In the US, annual copyright term expiry is set to begin again in 2019, after a 20-year hiatus due to the Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998. On January 1, 2019, items published in 1923 will enter the public domain in the US.”OtherThis category applies to supplemental resources for OER textbooks and to disciplines for which an OER textbook cannot be identified. When looking for OER resources, pay attention to the owner/originator of the item. You are looking for longevity and credibility of the source. You don’t want to create a master course with a lot of hyperlinks that will be invalid in the near future. Here’s some starting points:Government (examples: , , , ) websites are good choices as they present no worries with copyright. Some agencies and professional organizations may be useful. Examples include American Academy of Forensic Sciences at and a Crime Scene Investigation Guide at Academy at has expanded its offerings beyond math, science, and economics. There’s also a YouTube channel at Goodwill Community Foundation at offers tutorials inComputer BasicsSoftware, to include MS OfficeEmail and InternetHand-held DevicesBasic MathReadingWorkplace SkillsApplying for JobsGED PrepMany agencies and organizations post videos on YouTube. Check the source, the length of time the videos has been posted, and ADA compliance (closed captioning).Regardless of the other resources you use, be sure to include instructions for the students as to what to do with the resources. Don’t just provide a list of links.Stability of LinksTo minimize maintenance requirements, we recommend that you choose links carefully and limit the number of links within a course. For content that is provided in PDF format, we can download the files and put them on the DEET content server if this is permitted under the usability restrictions. In some instances, we can divide the file into smaller parts and even delete portions that are not used in the course.Copyright and ADA Compliance It’s best to link to websites rather than embed the content into Blackboard. However, check the bottom of the site for a privacy or usage policy. Some sites may require some sort of acknowledgement for the source, or you may have to notify them of your intentions.Most websites don’t state that they are ADA compliant. If you have doubts or just want to ensure compliance, go to for information and tools.This document is meant as a quick guide. Please contact Distance Education and Educational Technology (DEET) de.techsupport@ctcd.edu if you have questions or need assistance.Summary of Best Sources for OERsThese seem to provide the best results for many disciplines:Open Textbook Library: Merlot: Search by keywords, browse by discipline, or choose the community portals.OER Commons: OpenStax and OpenStax CNX: Use browser search by entering keywords followed by OER. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download