This document was part of the OERP Workshop; Methods & Processes held during the EE2010 conference (July 6th -8th 2010 @Aston University).
Please see the handout and presentation supporting this session.
2. 6. What should I look for?
• Look for resources that show off your expertise.
• Look for resources that are widely used within your institution perhaps or that are well regarded across HE
• Look for resources that are useful in a ‘stand alone’ manner.
• Look for resources that can be easily altered.
7. How do I release it?
We have produced a guide in collaboration with the STEM subject Centre which will be available soon. There are
also guides and toolkits available online from sources such as JISC and UNESCO.
1. Ensure you have permission.
a.Obtain permission.
b.Remove, replace/reproduce content that you do not have permission for.
2. Ensure what you release is accessible i.e. can be accessed by all.
3. Add the correct licence to the resource along with any context that helps people to use the resource.
4. Ensure the resources is in an ‘open’ format, e.g. provide word versions of pdf’s etc.
5. Create a good description of the resource explaining what it is and how to you it, if applicable.
6. Add good metadata/tags/key words to the resource to ensure it is surfaceable in search engines.
7. Look for materials you can use, use it and re release the derivative work.
8. Where do I release it?
• Use external facing institutional repositories/websites.
• Use web2.0 and social media sites that have high levels of traffic.
• Create or use your own website.
• Simply deposit the resources in JorumOPEN.
• Use good tagging, metadata and descriptions so that resources appear high up on search engine results.
9. What does OER involve?
• Providing resources that would be useful to engineering teachers in FE (HE level) and HE.
• Clearing ownership issues and fixing them where appropriate, writing support material to make the open
materials useful to others (e.g. instructions, example applications etc.) recording your experiences to provide
feedback about the process for the project and for any subsequent projects.
• Ensuring resources are re useable by others.
10. Can I get help?
The Engineering Subject Centre has released several guidance documents on the OER process, search for the tags
‘engscoerprojdoc’ and ‘engscoer’. These resources were created for project partners during the successful OERP
project in 2009/10.
Along with these documents the Centre is able to provide some more general advice and support for OER. This
support can provide help with IPR, accessibility, dissemination and all other aspects of OER not just for engineering
but for any subject discipline.