The 5 Rs of OER

Retain

The right to make, own, and control copies of the content.

‍Faculty and students have the freedom to download, store, and manage copies of an OER without restrictions. Whether saving it on a laptop, cloud drive, or printing a personal copy, retention ensures continued access regardless of changes to the original source or website.

Reuse

The right to use the content in a wide range of ways.

‍OERs can be used in classrooms, shared in learning management systems, included in presentations, or even used during workshops and community outreach. There are no limitations on where, when, or how the content is reused — as long as it remains consistent with licensing terms.

Revise

The right to adapt, adjust, modify, or alter the content.

‍Need to update examples to reflect recent events? Want to simplify complex language for different learners? With OER, you’re free to revise the material to meet specific teaching goals, align with curriculum standards, or address unique student needs.

Remix

The right to combine original or revised content with other materials to create something new.
‍
Faculty can take multiple OERs — or mix an OER with their own materials — to craft customized, engaging, and relevant resources. Remixing fosters creativity and allows instructors to create learning experiences that are culturally relevant, interdisciplinary, and highly effective.

Redistribute

The right to share copies of the original content, revisions, or remixes with others.

‍Whether handing out printed copies in class, emailing a PDF to colleagues, or uploading revised versions to a course website, redistribution ensures that educational resources can reach more learners — locally and globally — at no cost.