C/7.2 Open Educational Resources
Contact Officer | Pro Vice-Chancellor (Digital Learning) |
Approval Date | 20/04/2016 |
Approval Authority | Council |
Date of Next Review | 30/04/2017 |
7.2.1 Policy principles
7.2.2 Applications
7.2.3 Obligations
7.2.4 Definitions
7.2.5 Roles and responsibilities
7.2.6 Open access repositories
Related Documents
Modification History
7.2.1 Policy principles
QUT is committed to the creation and dissemination of knowledge for the benefit of society. This includes supporting the use and sharing of Open Educational Resources (OERs) to widen access to education, and to improve both the cost-efficiency and quality of teaching and learning outcomes.
To create rich learning environments, QUT encourages the use of appropriate and high quality Open Educational Resources, and sharing high quality Open Educational Resources, where:
- QUT's reputation and values are promoted, including social justice and equity in education and research; or
- there are advantages for learning through using, sharing and building on available Open Educational Resources.
7.2.2 Application
The policy applies to all QUT staff, students and visitors (including a person holding an adjunct, conjoint or honorary role at QUT) who are engaged in QUT related activities involving the:
- use of externally sourced Open Educational Resources to develop learning and teaching materials for QUT; or
- sharing of learning and teaching materials where QUT owns the copyright.
7.2.3 Obligations
Ownership of intellectual property produced by QUT staff, students and visitors is outlined in the Intellectual property policy (D/3.1). Where QUT owns the copyright in educational resources the moral rights of the creator must be appropriately acknowledged when releasing materials under an open licence. Where the intellectual property in educational resources is personally owned by students and visitors, they may grant the licence themselves to release content under an open licence.
QUT supports the use of Creative Commons licencing and specifically the CC BY attribution licence when making QUT learning and teaching materials available as Open Educational Resources.
Open licencing is usually not appropriate where materials are to be commercialised, contain confidential information, or where releasing the material would infringe a legal commitment by the University and/or author. The policy excludes Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) produced by QUT.7.2.4 Definitions
Open Educational Resources (OERs) are educational materials which are licensed in ways that provide permissions for individuals and institutions to reuse, adapt and modify the materials for their own use (as per the OER Foundation definition). Open Educational Resources may include all materials that are used in supporting learning and teaching, such as entire courses, units or components such as study guides, videos, podcasts, assessment items, software, simulations, or online tools.
7.2.5 Roles and responsibilities
QUT staff using external Open Educational Resources are responsible for:
- ensuring that materials used are fit for purpose, are of high quality and will enhance learning for students
- following the licencing terms associated with each Open Educational Resource
- complying with QUT Copyright policy (F/5.1); and
- complying with Guidelines for QUT Open Educational Resources approved under this policy.
QUT staff seeking to share Open Educational Resources are responsible for:
- assuring themselves that the materials are fit for purpose, are of high quality, will enhance learning for students and support achievement of course learning outcomes
- ensuring that all associated materials are free of third party intellectual property or have appropriate records documenting approval by the copyright owner (F/5.1 Copyright).
Heads of School
Heads of School or equivalent are responsible for reviewing and endorsing QUT materials to be published as Open Educational Resources.
Chief Information Officer
The Chief Information Officer in consultation with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education) is responsible for approving:
- the release of Open Educational Resources for public access and ensuring that decisions are recorded in accordance with the Records management policy (F/6.1)
- appropriate platforms for distributing QUT Open Educational Resources materials
- guidelines for the use and licencing of open educational resources which support the implementation of this policy.
7.2.6 Open access repositories
Educational resources approved for publication, together with relevant licence information, are to be made available from approved repositories with a copy held on QUT systems. QUT Media Warehouse (QMW) is an acceptable repository for Open Educational Resources materials in a rich media format.
Related Documents
MOPP D/3.1 Intellectual property
MOPP F/5.1 Copyright
Guidelines for QUT Open Educational Resources (QUT staff access only)
Open Educational Resources Approval Form (QUT staff access only)
Modification History
| Date | Sections | Source | Details |
| 20.04.16 | All | Council | New policy |