Open Educational Resources

The Hewlett Foundation advises that Open Educational Resources or OER are “teaching, learning, and research materials in any medium – digital or otherwise – that reside in the public domain or have been released under an open license that permits no-cost access, use, adaption, and redistribution by others with no or limited restrictions.” OER can include course content, textbooks, streamed content, assessments, and other learning materials. OER are not only a trending topic in higher education today but are powerfully impactful student success tools that help achieve more accessible, equitable, and inclusive educational opportunities and environments.

WCET’s Z Initiative (for zero cost resources) works with the regional compacts (WICHE, NEBHE, MHEC, SREB), state agencies, and higher education systems to conduct research, design grant programs and initiatives, and provide guidance on regional and statewide OER policy and project implementation.