Evaluating Open Resources


When evaluating open resources for use in your course, you may want to consider the following questions:

  1. Does this OER cover the content you'd like your students to learn in this course or module? Is the content accurate and are sources well-cited?
  2. How accessible and appropriate is this content? Will it be accessible for your students, or is it too technical? Or is it robust and challenging enough for your students? Is it of high technical quality, with clear visuals and high production value?
  3. How can you use the content? Verify the license that the resource is under. Can you remix or revise the OER as long as it isn't for commercial purposes? Who do you have to recognize if you use it? Will you be able to do so? How does it align with course objectives/learning outcomes? Has it been subject to peer review?
  4. Once you determine how you can use the OER, what would you like to do with it? Does only a portion of it apply to your class? Would you possibly want to combine this OER with another OER or resource? Does the library have access to articles that could act as supplemental readings?
  5. Tip: As you collect more OER and other resources, save them in a central location. Take note of how you envision using them. Align these resources with the learning objectives and weekly lessons on your syllabus in order to identify gaps.

Adapted from Evaluating OER rubric


Further Resources