Getting Started with OER

Now that you know a bit more about OER it is time to get started. The following are considerations for implementing OER in a course. 

1. Determine what areas of your course or program would benefit from OER. Where do you want to make the changes? 
2. Consult with the program coordinator, other faculty teaching the same course, and/or your Dean/Associate Dean to discuss if an OER is a good fit for the course. Obtaining buy-in from the start is critical to an OER project. 
3. Connect with the library or LLAE for help in finding OER. Use the repositories listed in the Finding OER section of this site. 
4. Evaluate the OER. Here are some questions to consider
   1. Does it meet the course learning outcomes?
   2. Does it meet students’ learning needs? (e.g. multimedia options, interactivity)
   3. Is the content accurate and level appropriate?
   4. Does it provide a Canadian context, if required?
   5. Review the evaluating section of this site for more details about quality, relevance and accessibility 
5. Adopt or Adapt? Can you adopt the OER as is? Do you need to make any adaptations? Can you mix and match a few OERs to meet your needs? 
6. Use – how will students use and/or access the OER. Is there a link that can be posted in the LMS. Are there print options that students should be aware of?