Creating teaching materials with an open license is a fantastic way to contribute to open educational resources (OER). Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Define Your Objectives and Audience

• Identify the Subject Matter: Determine the topic or subject area you want to cover.


• Understand Your Audience: Consider the age group, educational level, and specific needs of your target audience.

2. Research and Plan

• Content Research: Gather information and resources related to your topic. Ensure the content is accurate and up-to-date.


• Structure and Format: Decide on the structure and format of your materials. This could include textbooks, lesson plans, worksheets, videos, interactive simulations, etc.


• Learning Outcomes: Define clear learning outcomes for each section or module.

3. Develop the Content

• Write and Design: Create the content using clear and concise language. Use visuals, diagrams, and multimedia to enhance understanding.


• Interactivity: Incorporate interactive elements like quizzes, exercises, and discussion prompts to engage learners.


• Accessibility: Ensure your materials are accessible to all learners, including those with disabilities. Use alt text for images, captions for videos, and follow accessibility guidelines.

4. Choose an Open License

• Understand Open Licenses: Familiarize yourself with different types of open licenses, such as Creative Commons (CC) licenses.


• CC BY: Attribution required.


• CC BY-SA: Attribution and ShareAlike (derivative works must be shared under the same license).


• CC BY-NC: Attribution and NonCommercial (cannot be used for commercial purposes).


• CC BY-ND: Attribution and NoDerivatives (cannot be modified).


• Select a License: Choose a license that aligns with your goals and the needs of your audience.

5. Publish and Share

• Platform Selection: Decide where to host your materials. Popular platforms for OER include:


• OER Commons: A digital library and network of educational resources.


• MERLOT: A curated collection of free and open online teaching, learning, and faculty development services.


• OpenStax: A nonprofit educational initiative based at Rice University.


• Your Own Website: You can also host materials on your own website or blog.


• Metadata and Tagging: Ensure your materials are easily discoverable by adding relevant metadata and tags.

6. Promote and Engage

• Social Media: Share your materials on social media platforms to reach a wider audience.


• Educational Communities: Engage with educational communities, forums, and mailing lists to promote your resources.


• Feedback: Encourage users to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.

7. Maintain and Update

• Regular Updates: Keep your materials up-to-date with the latest information and best practices.


• Community Contributions: Allow and encourage contributions from the community to improve and expand your resources.

Example Workflow

• Define Objectives: Create a lesson plan on "Introduction to Python Programming" for high school students.


• Research and Plan: Gather resources, outline the structure (e.g., Introduction, Variables, Loops, Functions), and define learning outcomes.


• Develop Content: Write the lesson plan, create slides, and develop interactive coding exercises.


• Choose License: Select CC BY-SA to allow modifications and require attribution.


• Publish: Upload the materials to OER Commons and share on educational forums.


• Promote: Share on Twitter, LinkedIn, and relevant educational groups.


• Maintain: Update the materials annually and incorporate community feedback.

By following these steps, you can create high-quality, openly licensed teaching materials that contribute to the global OER community.