Rethinking the Textbook? No Problem! Finding OERs Made Easy

“Six Steps to Choosing a Published OER” by JCU Library, licenced CC BY 4.0, is a derivative of “Six Steps to OER” by Northwestern Michigan College Librarians, licenced CC BY 4.0.
This is Open Access month at JCU, and we’re shining a spotlight on choosing published Open Educational Resources (OERs) - free, high-quality learning materials that can be used instead of expensive textbooks.

Let’s be honest – students just aren’t buying their expensive prescribed textbooks! If you’ve ever thought “There has to be a better way,” you’re not alone. That’s where OERs come in. They’re free, adaptable, and often just as good (if not better) than traditional textbooks.

Start by exploring

  • OER Discovery Collections - JCU Library-curated OERs organised by discipline
  • OASIS - Simultaneously searches over 117 repositories for OER (textbooks, course materials, simulations and more). 
  • OpenStax - High-quality, peer-reviewed textbooks that are ready to go. Great for foundational subjects like biology, physics, and economics.
  • Pressbooks Directory - A growing collection of open textbooks and other educational content created using the Pressbooks platform. Many are interactive and customisable - perfect for tailoring to your subject needs.
  • Open Textbook Library - If you’re looking for full textbooks, this is a great place to start. Bonus: many are reviewed by faculty!
  • Check out our OER Guide for more great repositories!

Tips for finding the good stuff

  • Think modular - You may not need a whole textbook. Sometimes a single chapter or activity is all you need.
  • Evaluate, evaluate, evaluate: 
    • Just like you’d double-check any other resource before using it, check OERs to see if they meet your needs. 
    • Look for reviews or ratings - sites like Open Textbook Library often include peer feedback.
    • Check the licence - Make sure it’s open and allows reuse or adaptation.

Benefits that speak for themselves

Switching to OERs isn’t just about saving students money - it’s about flexibility, inclusivity, and opening learning to more people. And remember: you decide what goes into your subject - OERs are just one more flexible option at your fingertips.

Want to explore OERs for your subjects?

Choosing already published OERs is easier than you might think. It’s just like identifying and evaluating a prescribed textbook from an academic publisher.  

Start by checking out the JCU Library’s OER Discovery Collections, organised by discipline. You might be surprised by what’s already available!

Need a hand? 

Reach out to your Liaison Librarian - we’re happy to help you locate already published OERs that could work for your subject needs. 


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