Evaluating OER
You'll likely find it useful to evaluate OER based on the same standards you use to evaluate other course materials. Here are a few criteria to consider:
- Content: Does this OER cover what you'd like your students to learn in the course?
- Accessibility: Is the content and reading level at the right level for your students? Is it challenging enough? Is the level of technicality appropriate for your course?
- Use: Is the license open? Can you share, reuse, and remix the content freely? For more information on copyright and licensing, check out the Copyright Crash Course.
- Quality: Is the OER peer-reviewed? Can you read reviews from other instructors who teach courses like yours? Are errors corrected or noted?
- Format: Does the material come in a format your students can access easily? Is special software required? Can the material be printed or purchased in print at a low cost?
