Evaluating Open Textbooks
As with any resource, Open Textbooks and OERs should be evaluated to assess their credibility and the quality of the material. With so many resources available online the task of choosing can be overwhelming.
While the CRAAP Test is a useful mnemonic for students to evaluate their resources, a more appropriate set of criteria for teaching staff is BASIC.
- Broad: Does the content include several perspectives, show how meaning is negotiated and established, provide the historical angle, explore dissenting views, and even include those from outside the discipline?
- Authoritative: Is the content authoritative? Have you determined the validity of the resource, considered new perspectives and changes in thought, and questioned the origin and context of the created information?
- at Standard: Is the content at the appropriate AQF level for your unit? Does it meet the benchmarks of a School policy or the standards of industry, sector or professional regulatory bodies?
- Inclusive & Equitable: Is the content you select culturally appropriate, sensitive and inclusive of indigenous peoples? Does your selection of material encourage Indigenous Knowledges? Has the content been evaluated for authenticity and accuracy with input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
- Current: Are your resources current, or, in the case of set textbooks, is a more recent edition available? Perhaps you have a range of authoritative materials that span recent decades.
Find out more about Selecting Teaching Resources from this linked guide.
The following checklist provides some questions to consider when choosing resources.
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Accuracy
- Is the information accurate? Are there major content errors or omissions?
- Are there spelling errors or typos?
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Relevance
- Does the information directly address one or more of the unit learning outcomes?
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Production quality
- Is the information clear and understandable?
- Is the layout and interface easy to navigate?
- Do the design features enhance learning?
- For audio or video resources, is the sound quality high?
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Accessibility
- Is the resource available in alternative formats? (e.g. docx?)
- For audio or video resources, is there a transcript or subtitles?
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Interactivity
- Does the resource encourage active learning and class participation?
- Are there opportunities for students to test their understanding of the material (e.g. a video with embedded questions?)
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Licensing
- Does the licence allow for educational reuse of the materials?
- Does the licence allow modifications or adaptations of the materials?
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Faculty Guide for Evaluating Open Education Resources by BCOER Librarians CC-BY 4.0