Open Educational Resources

Open educational resources (OER) are educational materials distributed at no cost and that have been released under an intellectual property license that permits their free use and re-­purposing by others. OER include full courses, course materials, modules, textbooks, streaming videos, tests, software, and other materials. For more information see the libguide Open Educational Resources at Connecticut College or contact Jessica McCullough, Director, Research Support & Curricular Technology, jmccull1@conncoll.edu.

Why OER Matters: Our Commitment to Sustainability, Social Justice, and Accessibility

Embracing OER is a strategic step towards a more equitable and responsible educational ecosystem at Connecticut College. 

  • Lowering the total cost of education.Using OER materials instead of costly textbooks reduces educational costs.This program will support Connecticut College’s strategic priority toward financial strength and exploring new ways to make a Connecticut College education affordable.
  • Advancing Social Justice and Equity: By eliminating the financial barrier of expensive textbooks and learning materials, OER directly promotes social justice. This ensures that all students, regardless of their financial background, have equal access to the resources they need to succeed. Research demonstrates that OER can significantly improve retention and academic outcomes, particularly for Pell grant recipients and underrepresented student groups, helping to close attainment gaps. This commitment to affordability fosters a more inclusive and participatory learning environment for everyone.
  • Promoting Sustainability: OER contributes to a more sustainable future by reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional textbook production, printing, and distribution. The collaborative nature of OER encourages the ongoing improvement and adaptation of materials, reducing the need for constant creation of new resources.

Beyond Cost Savings: The Pedagogical Power of OER

OER are not just about affordability; they are powerful tools for pedagogical innovation and increased academic freedom:

  • Fostering Pedagogical Innovation: OER and Open Pedagogy are opportunities for pedagogical innovation and improvement. OER can be tailored and improved locally to fit the needs of students, and allows opportunities for student participation in the process of OER creation. Browse the Connecticut College Pressbooks platform to see examples of open books created with students.
  • Expanding academic freedom: OER expands academic freedom, giving faculty copyright-free options to produce personalized learning materials to meet the specific needs of our students at our institution. Faculty are untethered from the rigid structures and content produced by publishers. 

OER Grant Program

The Research Support & Curricular Technology team encourages and supports the use and creation of OER at Connecticut College through innovative grant programs. Click here for more detailed information about the grant. This program is funded by Library & Information Technology and the  Office of the Dean of the Faculty.  

We proudly recognize the following faculty members who have demonstrated leadership in embracing and developing OER at Connecticut College:

2025-26 Grant Recipients

Timothy Becker, Computer Science
Stephen Douglass, Computer Science and Biology
Ross Morin, Film Studies

2024-25 Grant Recipients

Candace Howes, Economics
Adam Kleman, Chemistry
Priya Kohli, Mathematics and Statistics
Laura Little, Slavic Studies
Frida Morelli, Italian Studies
Ross Morin, Film Studies
Karen Gonzalez Rice, Art History

2023-24 Grant Recipients

Adam Kleman, Chemistry
Andrea Lanoux, Slavic Studies
Yongjin Park, Economics
Tanya Schneider, Chemistry
Luke Wilczek, Chemistry
Sana Abdi, James Austin, Jacob Levi,Robyn Pront, French and Francophone

2022-23 Grant Recipients

Ruth Grahn, Psychology
Jessica Koehler, Hispanic Studies
Emily Kuder, Hispanic Studies
Julia Kushigian, Hispanic Studies
Augustine O'Keefe, Mathematics & Statistics
Midge Thomas, Music
Sufia Uddin, Anthropology
Sana Abdi, James Austin, Jacob Levi,Robyn Pront, French and Francophone

2021-22 Grant Recipients

Ben Beranek, Economics
Karolin Machtans and Suzuko Knott, German Studies
Emily Kuder, Hispanic Studies
Michelle Dunlap, Human Development
Christopher Hammond, Mathematics & Statistics
Priya Kohli and Yan Zhuang, Mathematics and Statistics 

2019-20 Grant Recipients

Rachel Black, Anthropology
Luis Gonzalez, Hispanic Studies
Jillian Marshall and Jennifer Gorman, Psychology
Emily Kuder, Hispanic Studies
Kathy McKeon and Warren Johnson, Mathematics and Statistics
Luz Nick, Hispanic Studies
Yongjin Park, Economics
Maria Rosa, Biology
Ari Rotramel, Gender, Sexuality and Intersectionality Studies
Derek Turner, Philosophy

If you have questions or are curious about OER options, contact Jessica McCullough.