This document discusses the benefits of using open educational resources (OER) instead of traditional textbooks. It notes that many students cannot afford textbooks, which can prevent them from taking classes or delay their coursework. OER materials are free to students and can be customized by professors. The document provides examples of successful OER projects and recommends professors start small by using OER for single assignments before fully adopting open resources. It also lists several repositories where instructors can find open educational materials and resources.

1. Art History OERs
Professor Melissa Hall

2. • According to the Chronicle of Higher
Education, 7 in 10 students didn’t
purchase a textbook because of cost.
• One in five college students has
skipped or deferred a class due to
the price of the required learning
resources.
• The cost of textbooks is rising at a
rate of 4 times inflation
• 60% of students have delayed
purchasing textbooks until they’ve
received their financial aid.
Why Use OER?

3. • Textbooks are boring
• Students don’t read them

5. Beth Harris Stephen ZuckerSmarthistory: started in 2005 as an
audioguide to the Met Museum

6. Video conversations
about art

12. https://wccart108.wordpress.com/ https://art109wcc.wordpress.com/ https://medumpa.wordpress.com/

15. • Saves money
• Customized course materials
• Students can do work on the bus
• Students LIKE IT!
• Requires constant updating
• You become a “webmaster”

16. • How will you make sure students
are using the resources?

17. • Grading homework can get
out of hand

18. Start small: single assignments, or textbook supplement

19. Steal like a pro: find other courses using OER resources

20. OER Resources:
• SUNY OER: https://textbooks.opensuny.org/
• Open NYS: http://open-nys.org/
• OER Commons:
https://www.oercommons.org/