- When in doubt, link out! If you’re not sure if online content is fair use or fair game for inclusion in an OER, it’s much better to link out to a source than to create a derivative and post the full text on your OER.
- Attribute sources and model ethical information use for your students. This attribution tool makes it really easy. If you’re using the OpenLab, you can also use this attribution plugin.
- Make Creative Commons licenses and attribution part of your OER creation workflow. You’ll save time and make less mistakes if you attribute sources and append licenses to your own content as you go.
- Know that the OER isn’t the whole course. Creating a zero cost course doesn’t mean you can’t use any copyrighted content, but means that you have to consider fair use and distribute some content to students in class instead of posting it online.
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