Open Educational Resources (OER) are "teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under a license that permits their free use, reuse, modification, and sharing with others." (US Dept of Education, 2017). OER come in many types and formats of resources including:
Textbooks / Courses / Course Materials / Lesson Plans / Videos / Tests / Software / & more
- Cost Savings – OER eliminate the cost of textbooks and educational materials, making education more affordable for students.
- Accessibility – These resources are available online, ensuring that anyone with internet access can use them.
- Customization & Adaptability – Educators can modify OER to suit specific teaching needs and update them as necessary.
- Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing – OER encourage global collaboration among educators and institutions.
- Increased Learning Opportunities – Learners from diverse backgrounds can access high-quality educational materials at no cost.
- Support for Lifelong Learning – People outside formal education can use OER to continue learning new skills and knowledge.
- Diversity & Inclusion – OER can be translated and adapted to different cultural and linguistic contexts, promoting inclusivity.
Appointed by the Provost, members of the OER Committee establish overall policy and guidelines for the implementation and expansion of OER course materials.
Members include:
- M’Hammed Abdous, Center for Faculty Development, Co-Chair
- Marissa Jimenez, Office of Academic Innovation and Learning Support, Co-Chair Andrew Bennett, Strome College of Business
- Elizabeth Burns, Darden College of Education and Professional Studies
- Amber Gruszeczka, University Libraries
- Shannon Hurt, Division of Student Enrollment, Engagement, and Services Eva Maddox, Ellmer College of Health Sciences
- Christine Matthews, Division of Digital Transformation and Technology Benjamin Melusky, College of Arts and Letters
- Janet Moloney, College of Sciences
- Dimitrie Popescu, Batten College of Engineering and Technology Kristyn Rose, Division of Digital Transformation and Technology Suzanne Van Orden, Ellmer School of Nursing
Upcoming Events and News
Event: VIVA Open Community Session
March 27, 2025 - 1:00-2:00 PM EST
This VIVA Community Session will explore successful use cases, tools, and resources that support practical applications for OER and generative AI. We will be joined by special guest speakers and OER & AI Fellows Magdalene Moy, Instructional Technologist, Fort Hays State University and Natasha Whitton, Associate Professor of English and Humanities, Baton Rouge Community College. Participants will have opportunities to connect and engage with each other around how to best utilize OER and AI for courseware design. Register here.
News: Virginia-authored OER for the inaugural Virginia Open Educational Resource (OER) Impact Award
Nominate a Virginia-authored OER for the inaugural Virginia Open Educational Resource (OER) Impact Award: SCHEV’s Open Virginia Advisory Committee (OVAC) is pleased to announce a call for nominations for the inaugural Virginia Open Educational Resource (OER) Impact Award. This award recognizes outstanding OER in Higher Education that have had a significant impact in Virginia classrooms.
Nominated OER will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Virginia impact (such as: student success metrics, cost avoidance, classroom adoption, etc.)
- Innovative pedagogical approaches leading to active and inclusive learning
- Contributions to Open Education by addressing a need or gap in the pre-existing literature and/or Virginia higher education
- Accessibility (WCAG 2.x AA compliant)
Creators of selected OER will be recognized formally online, via press release, and at an awards ceremony. Awardees will also receive a $2,000 honorarium, funded by VIVA, Virginia’s academic library consortium.
Award Nominations (including self-nominations) will be made via form here: http://gmulibrary.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6yv0d0yi8hLZCRw. Following submission, SCHEV OVAC will review and select three OER to recognize in the pilot year.
Creators of awarded projects will be expected to present their resources at an OVAC/VIVA sponsored online event, date TBD.
For more information about this award, please contact Liz Thompson at thomp3ea@jmu.edu.