Defining Open Access
What does Open Access mean?
Open access or OA, describes free, unrestricted online access to research outputs such as journal articles, books, textbooks, learning objects, and more. OA content is free from paywalls and access fees. Numerous databases or collections of Open Access materials are curated by individuals or organization that have a vested interest in providing educational materials to all, regardless of ability to pay. Use this guide to find suitable, high quality open access materials that you can use for instructional purposes that will be free and easily accessible to your students.
Note: Some resources are available only through the end of the academic year through publisher kindness in the face of classes transitioning to online learning. Those sources are in a separate box from the ones that are always free.
Open Educational Resources
Open Educational Resources are educational materials offered freely and openly for anyone to use. Most licenses allow resources to be shared, remixed or customized for your class. Open educational resources include textbooks, full courses, course materials, modules, streaming videos, tests, software, and any other resources used to support access to knowledge.