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Open Educational Resources

Explainer

Open Educational Resources (OER): Overview and Definition
Here are answers to basic questions about OER, the movement to share free educational resources and learning materials online.
Adult male teaching a lecture from desktop PC at computer lab.
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Classroom Technology 'Knowledge Is Meant to Be Shared': The Case for Open Educational Resources
Open Educational Resources can save educators time and allow them to tap into the creativity of colleagues around the country.
Alyson Klein, March 10, 2023
3 min read
Third-graders Fermando Lira, left, and Kale Regier work on an experiment with magnets during a class lesson on magnetism and force Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at Sioux City's Perry Creek Elementary School. The lesson was part of an International Baccalaureate learning inquiry. Perry Creek Elementary is one of three schools in the district pursuing designation as an International Baccalaureate World School.
Third-graders Fermando Lira, left, and Kale Regier work on an experiment with magnets during a class lesson on magnetism and force on Dec. 3, 2021, at Sioux City's Perry Creek Elementary School.
Tim Hynds/Sioux City Journal via AP
Science Elementary Science Materials Still Lag Standards. Could Free Resources Help?
Well-designed science materials could give elementary teachers critical support in the subject—and bolster goals for reading comprehension.
Sarah Schwartz, October 28, 2022
7 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Vanessa Solis/Education Week, antoniokhr/Getty
Education Funding Opinion How to Harness the Tremendous Potential of Open Education Resources
A textbook is no longer enough in many classrooms, writes Dan McDowell, but finding the right OER materials can be tricky.
Dan McDowell, January 29, 2020
5 min read
Curriculum Could Digital Resources Help Teachers Reach LGBTQ 69´«Ã½?
Some school districts and states are just beginning to think more broadly about how to best make sure that LGTBQ, non-binary, and other students are included in curriculum, professional development, and classroom discussions.
Alyson Klein, November 20, 2019
2 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Getty/Getty
Professional Development Teachers Nationwide Now Have Access to Open-Source Science Curriculum
For years, educators have complained that they lacked materials aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. But a new effort called OpenSciEd is slowly releasing a free, open curriculum that many say is high-quality.
Sarah Schwartz, August 28, 2019
7 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Getty
Curriculum Opinion What Teachers Need to Know to Do Right by Queer 69´«Ã½
69´«Ã½ deserve an LGBTQ-inclusive education, but many educators don’t know where to start, writes Sabia Prescott.
Sabia Prescott, June 21, 2019
4 min read
Classroom Technology Digital Content, Open Resources, Cybersecurity, and Makerspaces: That's What's on This Superintendent's Mind
Superintendent David Schuler is always trying to see what’s next in technology, but with a critical eye on its effectiveness and cost.
Michelle R. Davis, June 11, 2019
5 min read
Michelle Brown, the CEO and founder of CommonLit, sitting on a student desk at the Washington Leadership Academy in the nation's capitol.
Michelle Brown, the CEO and founder of CommonLit, sitting on a student desk at the Washington Leadership Academy in the nation's capitol.
Scott Suchman for Education Week
Classroom Technology Ed-Tech Problems Open Doors for Entrepreneurs to Solve Them
The only way an ed-tech company can have a meaningful impact in schools is by addressing a specific problem and offering a real solution.
Michele Molnar, April 23, 2019
8 min read
Special Education Five Top Technology Trends in Special Education
Fueled by technological advances, policy changes, and pressure from advocates, companies and researchers craft new tools and strategies to serve students with disabilities.
Benjamin Herold, December 4, 2018
8 min read
Curriculum How Districts Can Incorporate Open Educational Resources
For states and districts aiming to incorporate open educational resources into schools, a new report offers tips and best practices.
Sasha Jones, May 23, 2018
2 min read
Curriculum 'Open' Curricula Offerings Expand to Social Studies
The Core Knowledge Foundation has unveiled a free, downloadable social studies curriculum in grades 3-5.
Stephen Sawchuk, October 10, 2017
4 min read
Equity & Diversity News in Brief Calif. District Opens Resource Center to Help Those Eligible for DACA
California's fourth-largest school district last week unveiled its Dream Resource Center to support undocumented immigrants.
Tribune News Service, September 19, 2017
1 min read
Standards & Accountability Can an 'Open' Math Curriculum Compete With Commercial Publishers?
A middle school math curriculum created under an open license goes live—and its creators want it to give the big publishing houses a run for their money.
Stephen Sawchuk, August 24, 2017
4 min read
Curriculum Amazon's Open Educational Resources Website Gets Off to a Slow Start
A year after it was first announced, Amazon's open educational resources site, Inspire, is ready for teachers to use - mostly.
Jaclyn Zubrzycki, July 19, 2017
3 min read