Open Educational Resources (OERs)

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Open Educational Resources (OERs) are educational materials available for free or at a low cost, often licensed under Creative Commons or similar agreements. This allows educators to use, modify, and share the materials without copyright restrictions. OERs include textbooks, lesson plans, videos, and full courses, providing flexibility in curriculum design. They are particularly beneficial in reducing financial barriers to education, as traditional textbooks can be expensive and often outdated. The use of OERs promotes collaboration among educators and enhances learning outcomes by offering current and personalized content. Students can access materials from the start of a course, improving their engagement and success rates. OERs also support technological integration, enabling interactive learning experiences. While there are challenges in implementing OERs, such as ensuring quality and accessibility, they offer significant advantages in terms of cost savings and educational equity. Resources like OpenStax and OER Commons provide access to a wide range of OER materials.