OER course marking is the practice of labeling courses in a college or university catalog to show that they use open educational resources (OER) instead of traditional, costly textbooks. These markings, often icons, tags, or notes, help students identify classes with free or low-cost materials before registering.
The goal is transparency and affordability: students can make informed choices, plan for costs, and access materials from day one. OER course marking also supports institutional initiatives around equity, access, and student success.
| Student Benefits | Faculty Benefits |
|---|---|
| Save money on textbooks | Recognition for using OER |
| Access materials immediately | Support from librarians and learning experience designers |
| Know costs before enrolling | Opportunities to innovate in teaching |