The Faculty Exchange | Episode 2: Rethinking Course Materials with OER

What if course materials could be more affordable for students without sacrificing quality or academic rigor? In this episode of The Faculty Exchange, we’re joined by Dawn "Nikki' Cannon-Rech, Sustainability Librarian and Librarian Associate Professor at the Zach S. Henderson Library, for a conversation about Open Educational Resources (OER), affordable learning materials, and how faculty can rethink the resources they use in their courses. Nikki shares insights into what OER actually means, how Creative Commons licensing provides opportunities for faculty to adapt and tailor materials, and why affordability matters for student access and success. We also explore some of the practical concerns faculty may have when considering a change to their course materials—including the time and effort involved in evaluating alternatives.