Curating Open Educational Resources (OERs)

Introduction

Open educational resources (OERs)—freely accessible, openly licensed teaching and learning materials that can be used, adapted, and shared—have increased in quality and rigor in recent years, and the abundance of available resources can be overwhelming. One trick to manage the excess of information is to keep a running list of worthwhile resources you encounter in your day-to-day life—whether through teaching, research, or even casual reading. By keeping this ongoing list, you’ll have a curated pool to draw from when building or refreshing a course.

Also, when it comes to selecting resources, more isn’t always better. In fact, encouraging students to deeply examine one or just a few core resources throughout the semester often leads to better comprehension and long-term retention. A well-chosen textbook or a series of focused readings can create cohesion and promote critical engagement with a source.

A Closer Look

A thoughtful process of evaluating, selecting, and integrating OERs into your course through well-crafted annotations can help ensure your course materials are purposeful, cohesive, and aligned with your learning objectives.

1. Evaluate Your Resources

As you’re determining which OERs to use in your course, you might consider a few of the following factors:

  • Accuracy: Is the content up-to-date?
  • Clarity: Is the resource well-organized and easy to understand?
  • Complexity: Is the resource challenging enough? Does it warrant careful reading and attention?
  • Longevity: Is the resource likely to stand the test of time?
  • Perspective: Does it reflect a range of perspectives and avoid bias? Whose stories are being told? Whose expertise is highlighted?
  • Relevance: Does it support your learning objectives?

One resource to help you evaluate the quality of an OER is this worksheet from BCcampus (British Columbia, Canada), which includes items for accuracy, relevance, and accessibility. Check out the additional resources at the end of this tip sheet as well.

2. Annotate Your Resources

After you’ve selected your resources, make sure to write detailed annotations for each one. Share your reasoning for including it. A simple annotation that summarizes the resource and explains how it aligns with course goals can help students understand its relevance and value. Annotations also serve to highlight your expertise by guiding students on what to focus on and how the material connects with larger course themes.

Journal Article Annotation:

Screenshot of a reading assignment citation: Kalin, N. H. (2022), “Polygenic risk scores and genetics in psychiatry,” The American Journal of Psychiatry, with a link to download the open-access article. Below it, an annotation gives a one-sentence overview of the article and asks readers to consider how polygenic risk scores can help predict psychiatric disorders and support personalized mental health care.

TED Talk Annotation:

Screenshot of a course resource listing: a TED Talk titled “What’s your leadership language?” by Rosita Najmi (Jan 4, 2024) with a YouTube link. Below it, an annotation explains that the talk explores how identifying your leadership language can improve communication, team dynamics, and effectiveness in hospital leadership roles through clarity, empathy, and strategic influence.

 

3. Attribute Your Resources

As shown in the annotation examples above, proper attribution is essential and sets a strong example for your students. If you’re using an OER with a Creative Commons license, follow the TASL format in your attribution: Title, Author, Source, License. Check out the Copyright and Fair Use Tip Sheet to see how to properly attribute an image with a Creative Commons license. Many OERs have a Creative Commons license, but it’s important to note that permissions vary—many licenses allow redistribution and even modification, but others don’t. It’s always good to double-check.

4. Invite Student Feedback

After your course launches, ask students how the resources are working for them. Are they clear, accessible, and engaging? What would they change? Student feedback can help fine-tune your selections and sometimes lead to new discoveries that enhance the course. You can also ask students directly for suggestions. You may have students who recommend resources that fit well with your learning objectives and present an intriguing future discussion or assignment opportunity. This is also a good way to engage your students and build rapport.

Summary: Quick Tips for Curating OERs
  • Keep an Ongoing List: Document articles, books, reports, and other resources from your academic, professional, and personal experiences.
  • Choose Carefully: Encourage students to invest deep, sustained study with one or a few well-chosen resources rather than a broad survey of many. Quality is better than quantity.
  • Plan for the Long-Term: Choose materials that support long-term learning and are likely to remain relevant.
  • Annotate and Attribute Your Sources: Include the full reference for your resource in the course and tell your students why you chose it and why it’s important for them to study.
  • Ask for Feedback: Regularly ask students for input on the materials to refine and improve your selections.

Additional Resources