Welcome to Introduction to Low or Zero Cost Course Materials. This book has a dual purpose:
- To demystify the concepts of Low-Cost Materials, Open Access, and Open Educational Resources (OER)
- To serve as a guide for faculty hoping to integrate these resources into their teaching practices.
With the rising cost of textbooks and other educational materials that can render seeking a degree impossible for some students, low and zero-cost materials like OER present a solution. This book is structured to provide you with background knowledge and strategies for incorporating these materials into your courses. We will explore:
- Copyright, Open Access, and OER: an explanation of what OER is, how it differs from Open Access, and the differences between copyright and Creative Commons Licenses.
- Using Your Library: guidance on finding library materials, placing items on Course Reserve, and incorporating e-books into your courses.
- Using, Adapting, and Authoring OER: strategies on finding OER and support for faculty wishing to develop their own OER.
Happy teaching!
Sincerely,
Stacy and Lucinda
