Step one: Set aside time.
Searching for these materials takes time and persistence, just like research!
Step two: Get cozy with your learning objectives.
Instead of focusing on the textbook that you would like to replace, focus on what you would like students to know or be able to do.
Step three: If you are replacing a textbook, take a look to see if someone else has created a similar, complete OER course or textbook.
See the "Complete Courses" and "Complete Textbooks" sections of the "Find" tab of this guide.
Example: Go to the Open Textbook Library and browse their open business texts.
Although it's possible that you might find one open textbook to suit all your needs, more likely you will need to search for materials that address different topics or components of your complete class.
Example: instead of searching for “biology” materials, search for “cell structure” or “DNA” or “evolution” materials.
Step four: Use Google “Advanced Search” to search for open resources.
Step five: Search within some of the specific OER repositories/OER search engines:
See the "Find" tab for a list.
*OER Librarian pro-tip* Use the browsing tools that the repository or search engine presents to you! Don’t rely solely on keyword searching.
Step six: Look for library materials like ebooks, articles and streaming videos to fill in gaps.
Visit the library's homepage, http://library.tamucc.edu, to search our collection.
Step seven: Not finding what you’re looking for? Ask your OER librarian.
I’m happy to help or refer you! Email oer@tamucc.edu.
Step eight: Consider creating and sharing your own OER.
See the "Create" tab.
Open Learn has a helpful open, modular online course "Creating Open Educational Resources"
Need more advice on searching for OER?
Check out this 60 minute webinar “Finding and Selecting High Quality OER” from the Community College Consortium for Open Educational Resources: