Top 5 Myths

There are a number of commonly held misconceptions regarding Open Educational Resources. These five come up again and again in discussions about adopting OER. Take a look at the resources listed in our OER Bibliography to learn more.

1. You get what you pay for. Truth: textbook publishers do not hold a monopoly on high quality content, much of which has already been "paid for" through research funding.

2. It takes too much time and effort to select and implement OER. Truth: more and more openly peer-reviewed, plug-and-play resources are becoming available, which can include exercises, quizzes, and even accompanying PPT presentations, just like a traditional textbook with a CD tucked in the back.

3. No one will work for free. Truth: open publishing frequently increases the visibility and reach of an author's work, paying off in ways other than royalty checks. Plus, Creative Commons licenses frequently afford an author more control over their work than a restrictive agreement with a traditional publishers.

4. Students expect traditional textbooks. Truth: More students register for sections that do not require an expensive textbook than those that require the purchase of a $250 book.

5. The OER model is not sustainable. Truth: Many business models, including "freemium" offers, are being explored and expanded as the demand for OER grows.