Exploring the Commons
OER can include full courses, textbooks, or a variety of instructional materials including images, videos, or documents. It is estimated that there are now more than 1.4 billion works licensed under various Creative Commons licenses (State of the Commons, 2017). The growing collection of openly licensed works, whether digital or not, is referred to as The Commons. So how do you go about finding resources that suit your needs? You can find OER by using search engines or by searching or browsing OER repositories.
This video by Amy Hofer, Statewide Open Education Library Services Coordinator, Open Oregon, shares time-saving tips on searching for OER. Remember that an open license gives you many possible ways to legally re-purpose the materials you find.
Contact Jean Shumway, BC3 Librarian, for assistance finding openly licensed resources, as well as assistance with adopting resources and understanding and Creative Commons licenses: jean.shumway@bc3.edu
Open textbooks are textbooks that have been funded, published, and licensed to be freely used, adapted, and distributed. Many of these books have been reviewed by faculty from a variety of colleges and universities to assess their quality. These books can be downloaded for no cost, or printed at low cost.
Using Google Advanced SearchThe Google search engine has an “Advanced Search” that lets you search by usage rights for content published to the Internet under an open license. The Advanced Search dialogue can be found under the Settings function or can be directly accessed at http://www.google.com/advanced_search
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BC3 Course and Faculty |
OER Texts |
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ARTS 101 Introduction to Art - Debra Shingledecker |
- available through LibreTexts - available through Lumen Learning - available through Course Hero |
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ARTS 104 Art History - Debra Shingledecker |
Introduction to Art History (2022) by Cerise Myers, Ellen Caldwell, Margaret Phelps, and Alice Taylor. - available through LibreTexts |
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BIOL 101 - David Gesicki |
- available through OpenStax |
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BIOL 103: Environmental Biology - Jennifer Antonio |
Environmental Biology ed by Mark Fisher - available through Open Oregon and Pressbooks |
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BUSN 139 & COMP 208 Computer Ethics - Ramin Hajave |
Introduction to Philosophy: Ethics - available through Pressbooks |
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CHEM - Amy Xin |
Developed a chemistry laboratory manual from resources at the following sites: |
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DRFT 108 3D Modeling - Michael Robinson |
Parametric Solid Modeling with Solidworks by Michael Robinson - available through Pressbooks |
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ENGL 036 Developmental Integrated Reading and Writing - Rhiannon Baron |
- available through LibreTexts |
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ENGL 101 College Writing - Jolene Stieb - Jacqueline Kunkel |
- available through Pressbooks |
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ENGL 102 Research Writing - Jolene Stieb |
Owlet Excelsior Online Writing Lab Composition 2: Research and Writing by Brittany Seay, Online Consortium of Oklahoma Press available through Pressbooks The MLCKRB (Master List Code Key and Rule Book): An English Grammar & Style Handbook by Jared Aragona, available through Pressbooks |
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ENGL 145 Creative Writing Workshop - Mike Dittman |
Write or Left: An OER Textbook for Creative Writing Courses by Priebe - available through isuu |
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ENGL 180 Film Analysis - Brian Burke |
Moving Pictures: An Introduction to Cinema by Russell Sharman - available through Pressbooks |
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GEOG 101 World Geography - Jeffrey Molnar |
- available through Open Textbook Library |
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HLTH 120 Health Science - Diana Campbell - Nichol Zaginaylo |
Health Education by Garrett Rieck and Justin Lundin, College of the Canyons - available through LibreTexts |
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HIST 205 Contemporary World History - Deborah Kruger |
World History Vol 2: from 1400 - available through OpenStax |
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MATH 100 Intermediate Algebra - Neil Foley |
- available through Saylor Academy |
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MATH 221 Calculus I - Rex Edmonds |
Calculus Volume1 by Gilbert Strang and Edwin "Jed" Herman - available through OpenStax |
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MATH 222 Calculus II - Rex Edmonds |
Calculus Volume 2 by Gilbert Strang and Edwin "Jed" Herman - available through OpenStax |
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NPHS 105 Introduction to Cyber Security - Thomas Dover |
Using NIST for Security and Risk Assessment by Thomas P. Dover - available through Pressbooks |
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PEHD 125 Physical Wellness - Diana Campbell |
Concepts of Fitness and Wellness by Scott Flynn, Lisa Jellum, Althea Moser, Jonathan Howard, Sharryse Henderson, Christin Collins, Amanda West, and David Mathis, College of the Canyons - available through LibreTexts |
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PHIL 208 Ethics - Jeffrey Molnar - Debra Shingledecker |
Ethics for A-Level by Mark Dimmick and Andrew Fisher - available through Open Book Publishers |
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PHSC 110 Environmental Science - Karie Muir |
Introduction to Environmental Science, 2nd ed - available through Galileo |
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PSYC 201 General Psychology - Jennifer Sarabok |
Psychology 2e by Spielman, Rose M.; Jenkins, William; and Lovett, Marilyn - available through OpenStax |
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SOCI 216 Family Studies - Stephanie Long |
Marriage, Intimate Relationships and Families - available through Lumen Learning |
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SOCI 211 Principles of Sociology - Anita Smith |
Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World (Barkan) - available through LibreTexts |
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SOCW 101 Introduction to Social Work - Karen Stubenbort |
Introduction to Social Work, Ferris State University, available through Pressbooks From Charitable Volunteers to Architects of Social Welfare: A Brief History of Social Work Standards and Indicators for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice - NASW |
