Open Educational Resources (OER) are no-cost or low-cost online learning materials which can be reused, revised, remixed, redistributed, and retained. These are the 5 Rs of OER. OERs can be all types of materials - not just textbooks - including curricula, syllabi, learning modules, course assignments, exams, as well as audio and visual objects.
Learn more about Leeward's OER initiative at the Leeward OER website.
More info about OER at the University of Hawai'i Community Colleges System is found in the 2019-20 OER Initiative Annual Report.
Watch this short video: Why Open Education Matters.
Use this guide to discover representative examples of OER. Use the tabs above to navigate through this guide. If you don't find a resource that meets your needs, don't give up. Contact a librarian to discuss your specific requirements and we'll help you find more that's out there.
Still unsure? See OER myths debunked in OER Mythbusting.
While this guide is designed to support faculty needs, the information and resources described within are there to benefit you by making a college education more affordable. Contact your Leeward Student Government if you are interested in getting involved in advocating for no-cost and affordable textbooks in the classroom.
Have you heard of TXT0 (Textbook Cost = $0)? See below for more information. The Textbook Cost: $0 Class List resource allows you to search for classes that do not require the purchase of course learning materials.
Ask yourself these questions as you begin to explore Open Educational Resources (OER)
If you answered yes to the above questions, you are ready to begin.
To learn more about Open Education, see these OER resources:
Consider training and learning opportunities through UHCC OER Professional Development initiatives.
Self-paced, online courses on OER are available from a number of institutions and organizations. These are open courses available to anyone.
A class that has a TXT0 (Textbook Cost = $0) marking means that students will not be required to pay for any course “learning” materials. TXT0 FAQ
Course learning materials include textbooks, readings, workbooks, lab manuals, access codes, or other content. Equipment, tools, or supplies (e.g., art supplies, culinary knives set, etc.) needed to apply the learning occurring in the class are NOT considered course learning materials. TXT0 classes may rely solely on the use of OERs or utilize a combination of OERs, freely available web resources, library resources, and/or faculty-authored materials.
Meet Nicole Keim-Fortuno, Leeward CC Counselor and Associate Professor, in the video below to learn more about how to find classes that are marked TXT0
Textbook Cost $0 at Leeward Community College by Junie Hayashi is CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.