Creating OER
Creating an OER can develop content specific to your teaching needs for your unit that is then shared with the wider community. The process of developing an OER follows these steps:
Contact the library OER team for advice
We can discuss your project and include copyright in the discussion from the start. We can let you know about available supports and guide you through the process. Opening this communication channel early helps to avoid issues later particularly with formats, IP and copyright. Email our team at opened@deakin.edu.au
Start with what’s there
Look to existing collections with quality resources such as Pressbooks or the Open Textbook Library. For more searching ideas, look at the How to find OER tab on this guide. Also consider materials that you've created, which may be available offline.
Make it accessible
It's important to ensure that the resources you create are accessible to all learners. Note that it is more work to make existing OER accessible than it is to create an accessible OER from the start. Have a look at the OER capability toolkit or at Empowered OER for resources and ideas.
Make it adaptable
The more modular your content is, the easier it is for future users to reuse it. If you’re working on an open textbook, separate your content by chapter and subchapter. If possible, provide a version of your resource in an editable format, such as .docx or .pptx.
Make it open
Select and clearly display the Creative Commons licence for your resource. If you integrate other materials into your resource, select those that are open. See the Licensing Module in this toolkit for information on choosing an open licence, or contact your library for help.
Invite critique
Evaluate your resource using a rigorous rubric such as the Comprehensive OER Evaluation Rubric. Ask peers to review the resource using the evaluation rubric. OER development is an iterative process, so try to revisit your OER on a regular update cycle.
Make it discoverable
Work with library staff to determine the best platform for sharing the resource with others. Library staff can also advise you on adding appropriate descriptors that make your OER discoverable.
Resources for creating OER
There are lots of resources available for creating OER. Explore the following for ideas:
Open Publishing Guide for Authors
This excellent resource from the University of Southern Queensland, steps through the textbook development process from the inception to post production evaluation.
This open book covers OER, Open Pedagogy and open licencing.
The CAUL OER Collective Publishing Workflow
Developed to support the CAUL Collective publishing program, this in depth guide covers many aspects to developing OER textbooks.
Enhancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) in Open Educational Resources (OER)
An excellent resource for including IDEA in OER design and development.
The Rebus Guide to Publishing Open Textbooks (So Far)
This guides creators through scoping your OER project, creating the resource and post-production management of the resource.
Text aimed at guiding authors, librarians and project managers through producing open textbooks.