OER are freely and publicly available teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license that permits their free use and re-purposing by others. For example, instructors may download the material, tailor it to one’s course, save a copy locally to share with one’s students and share it back out with attribution. OER can include textbooks, course materials and full courses, modules, streaming videos, tests, software, and any other tools, materials, or techniques used to support access to knowledge. An open source (or open) textbook is a textbook which is OER.
SFCC is committed to increasing course affordability and enhancing educational resources through the adoption, adaptation, and creation of Open Educational Resources (OER). This initiative supports our faculty by creating support for the development of course material that does not have a cost for students. The creation of OER course materials are not only accessible but also customizable to meet the needs of SFCC students and other institutions in the New Mexico OER Consortium.
SFCC is engaged in a collaborative effort with UNM and CNM to support the founding of the New Mexico OER Consortium, an initiative that is made possible by a $2.125 million federal grant awarded to UNM. The work of the consortium is to promote the use of open-access educational materials across New Mexico.
Because of this grant, SFCC has funding through 2026 that will support OER projects on campus.
Current Opportunities:
Course Redesign OER Grants
Special Projects OER Grants
OER Grant Evaluation Rubric
The goals of the OER grants at SFCC include:
Participate in our monthly OER Standing Committee meetings or become an OER Faculty Mentor. Together, we can transform education and make it more accessible, engaging, and effective for all. Learn more about the OER Standing Committee and our ongoing projects.