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Downloading E-Books: Open Educational & Open Access Resources

Disclaimer: While we try to reference sites we feel perform proper reviews of their content for possible copyright infringement, illegal downloading, etc., we cannot guarantee that is the case completely.

Open Access Resources vs. Open Educational Resources:

What is an Open Educational Resource (OER)?

  • "Open Educational Resources (OERs) 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. OERs range from textbooks to curricula, syllabi, lecture notes, assignments, tests, projects, audio, video and animation" (UNESCO, 2017).

  • Through open licensing, the mission of the OER movement is to encourage the full range of the “5 Rs” permissions of use: Retain, Reuse, Revise, Remix, and Redistribute. Some argue that unless an open licence allows for adaptations, then the resource is not truly OER.

What is an Open Access Resource (OAR)? 

  • An Open Access Resource is a digital resource, an eBook or Audiobook, for example, that is available to view/use for free without a membership or paywall of any sort.

  • Open Access resources are often introduced with a licence that does allow for Reuse and Redistribution, however they are generally not considered OER because they typically do not allow for Revision or Remix.