Babb Education is well adept at building courses and developing curriculum using Open Education Resources (OER) in lieu of or in addition to textbook resources. OER are free digital learning resources that can be used and reused in teaching and learning. They include textbooks, videos, simulations, assessments, and other materials that are openly licensed for use by anyone. The use of OER in instructional design and course development can lead to benefits for both educators and students. Materials can be frequently updated without much rework, be more current than textbooks often allow and go outside the boundaries of the book scope for additional understanding.

In this blog, we will explore five of the best practices for using OER in instructional design.

• Clear learning objectives: The first step in designing any instructional material is to clearly define the learning objectives. This involves identifying what the students should know and be able to do by the end of the lesson/module and course. By starting with clear learning objectives, educators can identify the OER that best support those objectives.

• Quality resources: The quality of the OER used can significantly impact the effectiveness of the learning experience. When selecting OER, educators and designers should look for resources that are accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to the learning objectives. They also must be ADA compliant.

• Combine OER with other instructional materials: OER can be used in conjunction with other instructional materials, such as lectures, discussion forums, assignments and even traditional textbooks. This allows educators to create a more engaging and interactive learning experience that supports different learning styles and is likely more current and relevant to the field.

• Encourage collaboration and sharing: OER are sometimes designed to be shared and modified. Educators can collaborate and build on each other's work. Encouraging collaboration and sharing among instructors can lead to the creation of high-quality OER that benefit both educators and students.

• Accessibility: When designing instructional materials with OER, educators should ensure accessibility. This involves being sure that the materials can be used by learners with disabilities, such as those who are blind or visually impaired. Accessibility features such as captions, transcripts, and alt text can be added to OER to make them more accessible to a wider range of learners.

The use of OER in instructional design can lead to significant benefits for both educators and students. By following best practices such as starting with clear learning objectives, choosing high-quality resources, adapting OER to meet specific needs, combining OER with other instructional materials, encouraging collaboration and sharing, and considering accessibility, educators can create effective and engaging learning experiences that support student success. We would be delighted to assist you!