Skip to Main Content Logo

Open Educational Resources: Evaluating OER

This guide provides information, resources, and sources for librarians, faculty, and students wanting to use and create OER.

Evaluating OER

Evaluating the resourcs are very important when choosing a OER or any new resources. The following are a list of questions that should be considered when evaluting an item:

  • Where does the resource come from?
  • Who produced it?
  • Does it have use appropriate sources?
  • How current is it?
  • Is it coherent/ self-contained?
  • What cultural context does it assume?
  • What legal jurisdiction does it assume?
  • Is it specific to any given accreditation process?

What can I do with resource?

  • Are there any licence restrictions? (Example, Share-a-like licence?)
  • Is the resource format suitable for adaptation?

Resources assumed to use the resource

  • Does it require access to particular digital resources (course readings)?
  • Does it require access to particular software
  • Does it require access to particular tools/ infrastructure?

Type of interaction assumed by the resource

  • Does it assume any particular type of interaction (group work?)
  • Does it assume any form of online interaction/ community?
  • Does it assume expert assistance?
  • How does it fit with my patterns of learning?