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OER Toolkit : Creating
Creating: sub-module 4 of 8
Whether working alone or as a team, this module provides information and tools to aid faculty in authoring new and adapted OER for teaching and learning.
OER Design Tips
Consider this list of design tips to create sharable, reusable OER - and get help from the library along the way
- Start with what’s thereLook to existing collections with quality resources such as eCampus Ontario’s Open Textbook Library - Opens in a new window. Also consider materials that you've created, which may be available offline.
- Make it accessibleIt's important to ensure that the resources you create are accessible to all learners. Note that it is more work to make existing OER accessible than it is to create an accessible OER from the start. Use the accessibility checklist - Opens in a new window to guide your work.
- Make it adaptableThe more modular your content is, the easier it is for future users to reuse it. If you’re working on an open textbook, separate your content by chapter and subchapter. If possible, provide a version of your resource in an editable format, such as .docx or Google Docs.
- Make it openSelect and clearly display the Creative Commons licence for your resource. If you integrate other materials into your resource, select those that are open. See the Licensing Module in this toolkit for information on choosing an open licence, or contact your library for help.
- Make it discoverableWork with library staff to determine the best platform for sharing the resource with others. Library staff can also advise you on adding appropriate descriptors that make your OER discoverable.
- Invite critiqueEvaluate your resource using a rigorous rubric such as the Comprehensive OER Evaluation Rubric. Ask peers to review the resource using the evaluation rubric. OER development is an iterative process, so try to revisit your OER on a regular update cycle.
Additional Information:
- Quality Assurance Guidelines for OER: TIPS Framework - PDF - Opens in a new window, Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia
- Creating and Modifying Open Educational Resources - Opens in a new window, Affordable Learning Georgia
Creating Your Own OER
Why Create OER?
- Assures you can customize content to your specifications
- Extends your academic profile
- Provides more relevant and engaging materials for students
- Reduces costs for students
Attribution:
Text a derivative of BCOER Poster, - opens in a new window, by BCcampus, - opens in a new window licensed under CC BY 4.0 - opens in a new window
Examples of OER Creation
Creating OER and Combining Licenses Part 1 Video transcript - RTF
Putting Public Back in Public Higher Education Video transcript - RTF
Note: For more information on choosing an open licence for material you create, see the Licensing Module in this toolkit, or contact your library for help.
OER Authoring Guides
- BC Campus Self-Publishing Guide - open in a new windowA reference for writing and self-publishing an open textbook
- Ryerson University Textbook Authoring GuideA Guide to Authoring & Adapting Open Textbooks
- Open Textbook Sprint - Checklist - PDF - opens in a new windowReview the key steps and considerations in setting up a face-to-face “sprint” with peers to collaboratively author open textbooks.
- How to Collaboratively Develop Open-Source Textbooks - PDF - opens in a new windowLearn how to recruit and work with volunteers to create open textbooks. From South Africa's Free High School Science Texts project.
Accessibility Checklist
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requires that institutions provide all resources in an accessible format “on demand”. There are no specific guidelines for what is accessible—other than it must meet the need of the student requesting the accessible format. However, as educators, we a have ethical obligations to ensure that courses are fully accessible to all learners, including those with disabilities.
Unless carefully chosen with accessibility in mind, instructional resources can erect barriers that make learning difficult or impossible. Use the materials below to ensure that the resources you create are accessible to all learners.
Accessibility Toolkit
- BC Open Textbook Accessibility Toolkit - Opens in a new windowProvides resources to support content creators, instructional designers, educators, and librarians in creating open and accessible textbooks.
Authoring and Hosting Tools
Some OER authoring tools are free, and others require payment. Also, be aware that some tools require users to actively change their sharing settings to make resources public, or they may only allow sharing with other registered users and not the wider public.
Free Tools
- Pressbooks (Ontario) - opens in a new windoweCampusOntario has partnered with Pressbooks to offer free access to a Pressbooks EDU account for anyone currently affiliated with one of our member institutions. Pressbooks is an online formatting and publishing system that makes it easy to create professional, well-formatted print and digital resources.
- MERLOT’s Content Builder (Opens in a new window)Access templates for creating tailored websites with a variety of designs, including e-portfolio structures, lesson plans, online courses, and others.
- OpenAuthor (Opens in a new window)Bring in and adapt your own resources, as well as resources from its affiliated OER Commons library, to create new or remixed OER.
- OpenStax Hub (Opens in a new window)Adapt, remix, and localize OpenStax textbooks.
- Rebus Open Textbook Community (Opens in a new window)Develop open textbooks with a collaborative community of creators and authors.
- WikiBooks (Opens in a new window)Access wiki-based adaptable open textbooks and create new wiki textbooks.
- TED-Ed Content Builder Tool (Opens in a new window)Add TED videos to a lesson builder template, and supplement the video with questions and additional content.
Paid Tools
- PressBooks (Opens in a new window)Publish open textbooks in multiple formats in this content management system that uses WordPress.
- SoftChalk Cloud (Opens in a new window)Use the SoftChalk desktop platform to create your OER, and choose to make it open and public in the SoftChalk Repository (free trial available).