Affordable Learning Resources: OER Search Tips and Evaluation

• Use the Advanced Search feature if one is available. This will help you limit your search and save you time.
• Start with broad terms and then narrow from there.
• If you're having trouble finding good results, try starting with the browsing feature to browse your a broader subject area.

See the infographic below to visualize the process of searching for OER. (This infographic was adapted and modified from the University of Texas at Austin's original infographic.)

Evaluating OER is similar to evaluating paid textbooks and other materials for your courses. Below are a few tips for evaluation.

• Content: Does this OER cover what you'd like your students to learn? If it's close but not quite right, is this OER adaptable? Check the Creative Commons license to find out.
• Accessibility: Will your students understand how to use this OER? Is it too technical? Keep in mind the time you'll have to spend getting students acquainted with a challenging OER.
• License: How can you use the content? As is? Adapted? Verify the license that the resource is under. 
• Use: Will you use the whole OER or only part of it? You might need to pair a couple of OER to fit best with your learning objectives.