Open Educational Resources (OER)
"Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching and learning materials that you may freely use and reuse at no cost, and without needing to ask permission. Unlike copyrighted resources, OER have been authored or created by an individual or organization that chooses to retain few, if any, ownership rights.
In some cases, that means you can download a resource and share it with colleagues and students. In other cases, you may be able to download a resource, edit it in some way, and then re-post it as a remixed work. How do you know your options? OER often have a Creative Commons license or other permission to let you know how the material may be used, reused, adapted, and shared." (OER Commons)
Click here to view a list of Frequently Asked Questions and OER Mythbusters.
Benefits of Using OER: Faculty
- Free and immediate access to materials
- Ability to tailor course content based on student needs
- Align and customize materials to meet course objectives
- Opportunities for Open Pedagogical Practices
Benefits of Using OER: Students
- Free or low-cost course materials
- Day one access to course materials
- Easy accessibility for diverse populations
- Same or improved student success compared to traditional textbooks
Reviewing OER
When reviewing any resource, whether it be a traditional or open textbook, certain measures should be taken into consideration before adoption. The licensing of open textbooks allows for faculty members the option to utilize the 5Rs and open education practices to create content based on course objectives instead of formatting a course based on a traditional textbook.
The Open Textbook Library has provided Open Textbooks Review Criteria for faculty to use when considering which open resource to adopt. UTRGV also offers mini-stipends for UTRGV faculty who review open textbooks within the Open Textbook Library. If you are interested please contact Gabby Hernandez at gabrielle.hernandez@utrgv.edu.
OER Adopted by UTRGV Faculty
Foundations of American Education: A Critical Lens
American Environmental History
Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices
Introduction to Language Studies
Reflexiones Sobre Nuestra Lengua
Introduction to Astronomy
OpenStax: Astronomy
Communication in the Real World
The American Yawp
OpenStax: Introduction to Sociology 3e
Essentials of Geographic Information Systems
Essentials of Linguistics
Sustainability: A Comprehensive Foundation
Tea Time Linear Algebra: Explorations in Mathematics
Technical and Professional Writing Genres: A study in theory and practice
Business Law and the Legal Environment
Open Technical Communication
OpenStax: Calculus
OpenStax: American Government 3e
Advanced Business Law and the Legal Environment
OpenStax: Principles of Macroeconomics 2e
OpenStax: U.S. History
OpenStax: College Algebra
OpenStax: Pre-Calculus
Python for Everybody: Exploring Data Using Python 3
OpenStax: Principles of Management
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
Physical Geology
Public Health Ethics: Cases Spanning the Globe
Elementary Differential Equations with Boundary Value Problems
OpenStax: University Physics
Project Management
Mastering Strategic Management
OpenStax: Business Law Essentials
OpenStax: Biology 2e
Biochemistry: Free for All
Exploring Public Speaking
OpenStax: College Success
OpenStax: Principles of Macroeconomics 2e
Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality in BC
OpenStax: Chemistry 2e
Explorations: An Open Invitation To Biological Anthropology
Understanding Music: Past and Present
Intermediate Algebra
List of OER Adopted by College
College of Education & P-16 Integration
- Educational Psychology
- Foundations of American Education: A Critical Lens
- Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices
College of Engineering & Computer Science
College of Fine Arts
- Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context
- Technical Theatre Practicum - Version 1
- Understanding Music: Past and Present
College of Liberal Arts
- Abnormal Psychology, 2nd edition
- American Environmental History
- American Government and Politics II
- American Yawp
- Bad Ideas About Writing
- Business Law and the Legal Environment
- Business Law I Essentials
- Communication in the Real World
- Essentials of Linguistics
- Explorations: An Open Invitation To Biological Anthropology
- Exploring Public Speaking 4th edition
- Introduction to Language Studies
- Introduction to Sociology 3e
- Latinoamérica: Una Mirada
- Learning Statistics with JASP: A tutorial for psychology students and other beginners
- Legal Writing Manual, 3rd edition
- Online Technical Writing
- OpenStax: American Government 3e
- OpenStax: Psychology, 2e
- OpenStax: U.S. History
- Open Technical Communication
- Reflexiones Sobre Nuestra Lengua
- Steps to Success: Crossing the Bridge Between Literacy Research and Practice
- Technical and Professional Writing Genres: A study in Theory and Practice
- U.S. Government and Politics I
College of Sciences
- Abstract Algebra: Theory and Applications
- Analytical Chemistry, 2.1
- Astronomy
- Biochemistry: Free For All
- Biology 2e
- Calculus Vol 1
- Calculus Vol 2
- Calculus Vol 3
- Chemistry 2e
- Chemistry, Atoms First 2e
- College Algebra
- College Physics
- Elementary Differential Equations with Boundary Value Problems
- Essentials of Geographic Information Systems
- Euclidean Plane and its Relatives: A Minimalist Introduction
- Intermediate Algebra
- Introduction to Astronomy
- Introductory Statistics
- Linear Algebra with Applications
- Linear Algebra, Fourth Edition
- Mathematical Reasoning Writing and Proof, Version 3
- Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
- Modern Biology
- Notes on Diffy Qs: Differential Equations for Engineers
- Physical Geology
- Prealgebra, 2e
- Precalculus
- Sustainability: A Comprehensive Foundation
- Tea Time Numerical Analysis
- University Physics, Volume 1
- University Physics, Volume 2
- UTRGV Calculus
Robert C. Vacker College of Business & Entrepreneurship
- Advanced Business Law and the Legal Environment
- Introduction to Marketing I 2e
- Introduction to Marketing II 2e
- Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality in BC
- Mastering Strategic Management
- OpenStax: Principles of Macroeconomics 2e
- OpenStax: Principles of Management
- OpenStax: Principles of Microeconomics 2e
School of Nursing
- NURS 3301 Professional Mobility
- Nursing Care at the End of Life: What Every Clinical Should Know
- Public Health Ethics: Global Cases, Practice, and Context
University College
Open Access and Open Educational Resources
Open Access (OA) Publishing vs. Open Educational Resources (OER)
Open Access (OA) Publishing
These are FREE online, digital articles that are free of most copyright and licensing restrictions because of their Open license.
Open Educational Resources (OER)
These are FREE teaching and learning materials that can be used, modified, and reused because of their associated open license.
Relationship Between OA & OER
Open Access Benefits
OA materials can benefit both faculty and students in various ways including
- Authors keep their copyright
- Zero embargo periods
- Ensures authors can deposit their work in an institutional repository for preservation
- Allows other faculty and student to access work
- Results are shared openly
To learn more visit the OA Library Guide at utrgv.libguides.com/oa.
Open Educational Resources Benefits
OER can benefit both faculty and students in various ways including
- Free and immediate access to materials
- Ability to tailor course content
- Align course materials to meet course objectives
- Accessibility for diverse populations
- Same or improved student success rates compared to rational textbooks
