University Writing's resources page is an Open Educational Resource (OER), or a collection of teaching and learning resources made publicly available with copyright licensing that allows others to share and adapt our materials. Creating an OER can be a lengthy process, and we have worked to develop a sustainable model for OER creation and maintenance. We hope that these resources allow other OER creators to develop a sustainable process for their projects.

Materials designed by Katharine Brown, Amy Cicchino, Mark Smith, Layli Miron, and Heesun Yoon

Three members of University Writing's OER Team—Katharine H. Brown, Mark Smith, and Heesun Yoon—wrote a peer reviewed article on their work with the OER project. In this article, published by the Global Society of Online Literacy Educators in the Online Literacies Open Resource, the authors describe and demonstrate processes for creating accessible documents and PDFs

•  Reducing Barriers to Learning: Creating Accessible Learning Resources

In a peer reviewed article published in Research in Online Literacy Instruction, University Writing OER Team members Katharine H. Brown, Mark Smith, and Amy Cicchino present a model for developing an OER. Their scalable model emphasizes sustainability through the processes of OER creation and maintenance

• Creating an OER that Lasts: A Sustainable Model for Design, Publication, and Maintenance webpage

• Creating an OER that Lasts: A Sustainable Model for Design, Publication, and Maintenance PDF

This spreadsheet template can be used to track your progress as you prepare resources for OER publication; it is particularly useful for managing a large number of resources housed in a cloud storage system

• Tracking Resources for OER Development Excel Document

This document guides University Writing's team through the process of preparing new or revised materials for publication to the OER; this guide can be adapted for you own context for uploading or preparing and publishing resources

• Adding or Updating OER Resources Word Document

• Adding or Updating OER Resources PDF

This spreadsheet template can be used by OER creators to manage needed OER updates; the provided columns can be used to track each document's accessibility and readiness for publication

• OER Library Document Template Excel Document

This guide articulates University Writing's practices for accessibility and inclusivity. We use this guide while preparing accessible resources for publication to our OER; further, it includes guidance on inclusive practices which can inform the design of materials

• Accessibility and Inclusivity Guide from University Writing Word Document

• Accessibility and Inclusivity Guide from University Writing PDF

Some writing projects ask you to re-use existing sources and media. The resources below will introduce common terms related to intellectual property in writing, such as copyright, fair use, and plagiarism.   

Materials designed by Christopher Basgier, Tony Carter, and Amy Cicchino 

This handout introduces you to copyright, fair use, and licensing. Specifically, it explains how re-use affects you, defines key terms, responds to commonly held assumptions about copyright, answers questions, provides you with additional resources, and offers   scenarios so you can apply your knowledge 

• Introduction to Copyright and Fair Use Word Document 

• Introduction to Copyright and Fair Use PDF 

This worksheet includes three scenarios you can use to apply your knowledge of copyright and fair use. Then, sample responses can offer potential solutions you might not have considered. Use this to self-assess your knowledge or in a classroom activity 

• Fair Use and Copyright Scenarios Worksheet Word Document 

• Fair Use and Copyright Scenarios Worksheet PDF 

This handout introduces the idea of plagiarism and its various types. Further, it recommends strategies to faculty on how plagiarism can be avoided by using techniques such as timely peer review, feedback, and effective paraphrasing 

• Deterring Plagiarism Handout Word Document 

• Deterring Plagiarism Handout PDF 

This activity asks you to consider whether or not something is plagiarized 

• What Counts as Plagiarism? Word Document 

• What Counts as Plagiarism? PDF

When creating and designing your ePortfolio, you will want to respect the safety, privacy, and creative works of others. In addition to these resources, we encourage you to also visit AAEEBL’s Digital Ethics Principles for ePortfolios, which University Writing was active in creating.  

Materials designed by Toni Carter, Amy Cicchino, and Heather Stuart  

This handout walked ePortfolio creators through considerations for legal and ethical ePortfolio practices. 

• Ethical Practices Handout Word Document  

• Ethical Practices Handout PDF 

This handout introduces you to concepts like copyright and fair use. Because ePortfolios can include existing media, ePortfolio creators are at risk for copyright violation. The handout includes key terms, frequently asked questions, and some scenarios to help you apply your growing knowledge of copyright and fair use. 

• Introduction: Copyright and Fair Use Word Document 

• Introduction: Copyright and Fair Use PDF

This checklist helps you evaluate the accessibility of your ePortfolio site by reviewing your content and digital design.

• Making Your ePortfolio Accessible Checklist Word Document

• Making Your ePortfolio Accessible Checklist PDF