Adapting an open textbook allows educators to customize existing OER to match their teaching style and better support the needs of their learners. Adapting an existing resource can also help grow and sustain a culture of open education by keeping information current, contextualizing content, and enhancing content with new supplementary or multimedia material.

Getting Started

While you can adapt an OER as a solo educator, most adapters prefer to work as part of a team. That team might include:

• Subject Matter Experts (SMEs): To evaluate, improve, or create content.
• Instructional Designer(s): To make sure your completed adaption facilitates learning.
• Librarian(s): To locate existing content, and provide copyright, licensing, and dissemination expertise.
• Students(s): To contribute content, assist with uploading content, or evaluate content.
• Graphic Designer: To improve the design and layout of the resource.
• Copy Editor: To make sure the text is error-free.
• Assistant(s): To provide additional research or technical support.
• Others

Adapting an OER is often smoother with a team of collaborators. It will be up to you to identify what expertise and experience will help make your OER project a success. For more information about team formation, roles, and responsibilities, check out The Rebus Guide To Publishing Open Textbooks (So Far). 

Need Help?

eCampusOntario is here to help you find the resources you need to successfully adapt an OER for your teaching. Whether you need support with an editing platform, understanding licensing, or finding collaborators, we can help you get started.