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Interested in Affordable Learning @ Franklin University? See our guide to affordable learning for information about Franklin University's affordable learning program and affordable learning resources available through the Franklin University Library.
Use of OER as classroom material is consistent with Franklin University's goal, set forth in our ReFocus 2020 strategic plan, of "[m]inimiz[ing] student costs of educational materials, such as textbooks." This guide can help you find and evaluate useful OER.
As part of Franklin University's affordable learning initiative, resources available through the university library may be used in courses to minimize student costs. For more information, see our guide to affordable learning at Franklin University.
However, while resources available from the library that are free to students can contribute to affordable learning, they are not necessarily "open" educational resources. A component of open educational resources is the ability to "copy, use, adapt and re-share" the resources. Materials available for free through the library's databases usually have limitations on how they can be used.
There is no single definition of OER. According to UNESCO, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, open educational resources (OER) are:
any type of educational materials that are in the public domain or introduced with an open license. The nature of these open materials means that anyone can legally and freely copy, use, adapt and re-share them.
Additional definitions are available on the Creative Commons "What is OER?" page.
