Open Educational Resources (OERs)

First organized in 2017, Affordable Learning Pennsylvania (ALPA) is a community of practice for academic libraries and higher education partners to advance textbook affordability for our students through education, collaboration, and advocacy at the state level to support open education in Pennsylvania. ALPA leads programs that create awareness, build expertise for community-led OER initiatives, and promote best practices and collaboration throughout the community. Starting in 2021, ALPA began accepting applications for OER mini grants to fund resource creation, adaptation, and library-licensed materials.

Convened by the University of Minnesota, the Open Education Network (OEN) is a network of libraries and universities sharing tools for OER creation, adaptation, and distribution. Initiatives of the OEN include the Hub community of practice and the Open Textbook Library. With members in the U.S., Canada and Australia, members can brainstorm with helpful and accomplished colleagues at diverse institutions around the globe. Widener is a member of the Open Education Network.

Commons is a learning object repository that enables educators to find, import, and share resources. A digital library full of educational content, Commons allows Canvas users to share learning resources with other users as well as import learning resources into a Canvas course. This includes, pages, quizzes, assignments and more. Access this resource through your Canvas dashboard.

Like Canvas Commons, Follett Discover is integrated into Canvas and offers teachers OER choices alongside traditional textbooks.