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Open Educational Resources (OER) and Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC)

Guide for instructors interested in adopting Open Education Resources for ZTC courses.

Disclaimer

While AI can be a useful tool in the beginning of your OER search, we discourage you from using AI as your sole method of finding OERs. Popular generative AI tools such as ChatGPT should be used as a preliminary research tool at most. As you can see in the examples below, AI is an inadequate substitute for the accurate and customized research assistance a librarian can provide. The prompts below can provide a good start, but if you use them, thoroughly vetting your resources is highly encouraged.


Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Popular generative AI tools also tend to pull up the most popular titles of the discipline you're searching for, so it may be a good idea to look at different OERs in the same repository (ex. if it directs you to an Open Textbook Library book, browse your subject on that website before returning to ChatGPT).
  • AI results also tends to only highlight the positive feedback for resources. To get balanced positive and negative feedback, it is recommended to explicitly ask for negative feedback in your prompt, as you see in the examples below.

This information is displayed to provide accessible avenues of OER research for faculty who are not yet familiar. We do not condone the exploitative labor that goes behind AI development, and use it with moderation. We still recommend contacting the ZTC librarian with your query for the most accurate (and ethical) results.


Image by JoyPixels, EmojiOne Project via Createzilla, CC BY 4.0


Sample OER Prompts

Below are some prompts you can use to start a preliminary search of OER.

These prompts were tested on ChatGPT.


1. Finding works under certain licenses

 
Prompt: Can you help me find some open education textbooks for college-level English classes that are licensed CC-BY-SA or CC-BY-NC or CC-BY-NC-SA?

 

ChatGPT:

Sure! Here are some open education textbooks for college-level English classes that are licensed under CC-BY-SA, CC-BY-NC, or CC-BY-NC-SA:


"Writing for Success"

  • License: CC-BY

  • Description: Covers the fundamentals of writing in various contexts, including academic, professional, and personal writing.

"Introduction to Literature"

  • License: CC-BY-NC-SA

  • Description: A collection of literary works, including poetry, short stories, and essays, designed for introductory literature courses.

"The Writing Center Handbook"

  • License: CC-BY-NC-SA

  • Description: A resource for students and tutors in writing centers, focusing on writing strategies and tutoring techniques.

"Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing"

  • License: CC-BY-NC

  • Description: Explores various genres of literature and includes writing exercises to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

"Technical Communication"

  • License: CC-BY-SA

  • Description: Focuses on principles of technical communication, including writing manuals, proposals, and reports.

 

You can usually find these textbooks on platforms like OpenStax, OER Commons, or the Open Textbook Library. Let me know if you need more specific options or additional resources!


2. Finding works under certain licenses with links provided

 

Prompt: Can you help me find some open education textbooks for college-level English classes that are licensed CC-BY-SA or CC-BY-NC or CC-BY-NC-SA? And can you please provide the entire URL for each resource?

 

šŸ’”Tip: You must type ā€œentire URLā€ or ā€œcomplete URLā€ (rather than just ā€œthe linkā€) to get the full URL. Otherwise, the AI will only provide hyperlinks, which donā€™t always work and can easily break when copied and pasted to other platforms.

 

ChatGPT:

Absolutely! Here are some open education textbooks for college-level English classes, along with their licenses and complete URLs:

 

"Writing for Success"

"Introduction to Literature"

"The Writing Center Handbook"

"Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing"

"Technical Communication"

 

These resources are excellent for various English courses. Let me know if you need more information or further assistance!


3. Finding anthologies

 

Prompt: Are there any Open Education literature anthologies?

 

ChatGPT:

Yes, there are several open education literature anthologies available. Here are a few you might find useful:
 

"The Literary Anthology"

  • License: CC-BY-NC-SA
  • Description: A collection of classic and contemporary works, including poetry, short stories, and essays, aimed at fostering literary analysis and appreciation.

"Open Anthology of Earlier American Literature"

  • License: CC-BY
  • Description: This anthology features a range of American literature from the colonial period through the early 19th century, providing context and critical insights.

"The Common Reader" by Virginia Woolf

  • License: CC-BY
  • Description: A collection of essays that explores various literary topics and authors, suitable for introductory literature courses.

"The Norton Introduction to Literature (Open Edition)"

  • License: CC-BY-NC
  • Description: While not as comprehensive as the print version, this open edition includes key excerpts and analyses from a range of literary works.

"Writing with a Purpose"

  • License: CC-BY-NC-SA
  • Description: Includes a variety of literary texts that inspire writing and critical thought, perfect for composition and literature courses.

 

You can find these anthologies on platforms like OER Commons, OpenStax, or through specific university repositories. If you need help locating any of these, just let me know!


4. Finding resources that cover certain topics

 

Prompt: Can you find me an open education resource that covers poetry from the 1800s?

 

ChatGPT:

Certainly! Hereā€™s an open education resource that covers poetry from the 1800s:

 

"The Open Anthology of Earlier American Literature"

 

This resource should provide a good foundation for studying poetry from that era. Let me know if you need more options or specific details!


5. Summarizing reviews of open resources

 

Prompt: Can you summarize the reviews of this open textbook? Introduction to Literature: Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, and How They Shape Us

 

ChatGPT:

Sure! Hereā€™s a summary of the reviews for the open textbook "Introduction to Literature: Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, and How They Shape Us":

 

  • Content Quality: Reviewers appreciate the diverse selection of fairy tales and folk tales included in the textbook. The connections made between these stories and cultural themes resonate well with students.
  • Clarity and Organization: Many reviews highlight the clear structure of the book, making it easy for both instructors and students to navigate the material. The logical progression from basic concepts to more complex themes is often noted.
  • Engagement: The text is praised for its engaging writing style, which captivates students and encourages critical thinking about literature and its societal impacts.
  • Supplementary Materials: Some reviews mention the helpful supplementary resources, including discussion questions and activities, which enhance the learning experience.
  • Accessibility: The book is recognized for its accessibility, being available for free, which makes it a valuable resource for students.

 

Overall, the textbook is well-received for its thoughtful approach to literature, particularly in exploring the cultural significance of fairy and folk tales. Let me know if you need more specific details or further insights!

 

šŸ’”Tip: You may notice that this response didnā€™t contain any negative feedback for this resource. In that case, you can use the following prompt to pull up negative reviews.

 

Prompt: Can you summarize negative feedback for the same resource?

 

ChatGPT:

Certainly! Hereā€™s a summary of the negative feedback for "Introduction to Literature: Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, and How They Shape Us":

 

  • Depth of Analysis: Some reviewers feel that the analysis of certain tales is superficial, lacking the depth needed for more advanced literary study. They suggest that a deeper exploration of themes and contexts would enhance the resource.
  • Diversity of Perspectives: A few critiques mention that while the textbook includes a variety of tales, it could benefit from a more inclusive range of cultural perspectives, particularly non-Western stories.
  • Visual Elements: Some users note a lack of visual aids, such as illustrations or diagrams, which could make the content more engaging and accessible, especially for visual learners.
  • Pedagogical Approach: A couple of reviews express concerns about the pedagogical strategies employed, suggesting that more varied teaching methods or assessments could be included to cater to different learning styles.
  • Updates and Revisions: Some feedback indicates that certain sections could use updates to reflect contemporary issues or recent scholarship, making the material feel a bit dated in parts.

 

Overall, while the resource is appreciated for its foundational content, these critiques suggest areas for improvement to enhance its effectiveness and engagement. Let me know if you need anything else!

 

šŸ’”Tip: You can use the following prompt to generate positive and negative reviews at the same time.

 

Prompt: Can you summarize the pros and cons of this open textbook? Introduction to Literature: Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, and How They Shape Us

 

ChatGPT:

Sure! Hereā€™s a summary of the pros and cons of "Introduction to Literature: Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, and How They Shape Us":

 

Pros:
  • Diverse Selection: The textbook includes a wide variety of fairy tales and folk tales, providing rich material for exploration and discussion.
  • Engaging Writing Style: Reviewers appreciate the accessible and engaging tone, which helps captivate students and encourages them to think critically about the stories.
  • Clear Organization: The structured layout makes it easy for both instructors and students to navigate the content effectively.
  • Supplementary Materials: The inclusion of discussion questions and activities supports active learning and helps facilitate classroom discussions.
  • Free Access: Being an open resource, it is freely available to students, making it a valuable educational tool.
Cons:
  • Superficial Analysis: Some critiques mention that the analysis of certain tales may be too basic, lacking depth for more advanced literary discussions.
  • Limited Cultural Perspectives: There are calls for a more diverse representation of tales from various cultures, especially outside of Western traditions.
  • Lack of Visual Aids: Some users feel that the textbook could benefit from more visual elements to enhance engagement and support different learning styles.
  • Pedagogical Limitations: Feedback suggests that the teaching methods could be more varied to better accommodate diverse learners and promote deeper engagement.
  • Need for Updates: Certain sections may feel dated and could benefit from revisions to reflect contemporary issues or recent scholarship.

 

Overall, the textbook is valued for its foundational content and accessibility, but there are suggestions for improvements to enhance its depth and inclusivity. Let me know if you need more information!


Troubleshooting an AI OER Search

Sometimes, the AI generates incorrect results. It is important to always double check the accuracy of AI-generated information before using it in your curriculum. You may need to modify your prompts until you get the results you want, as illustrated below. 

 

In the examples below, the inaccurate results are marked in bold red underlined text.

Prompt: Can you find works by Native American authors that are in the public domain, along with their complete URL?

 

ChatGPT:

Certainly! Here are some works by Native American authors that are in the public domain, along with their complete URLs:

 

"Black Elk Speaks" by John Neihardt

  • Description: The spiritual autobiography of Black Elk, a Lakota Sioux healer, detailing his visions and experiences.
  • URL: https://archive.org/details/BlackElkSpeaks 

"The Life of Black Hawk" by Black Hawk

  • Description: An autobiography of the Sauk leader, providing insight into the life and struggles of his people.
  • URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/19163 

"Indian Boyhood" by Charles A. Eastman

  • Description: An autobiographical account of Eastmanā€™s childhood among the Sioux, reflecting on Native American culture and traditions.
  • URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26161 

"The School Days of an Indian Girl" by Zitkala-Sa

  • Description: A memoir detailing the author's experiences in a missionary school and her struggles with cultural identity.
  • URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24863 

"The Soul of the Indian" by Charles A. Eastman

These works provide valuable perspectives on Native American experiences and culture. Let me know if you need more information or additional titles!

 

One of those entries is a biography written by a non-Native author. I tried to correct the results with the following.

Response: Neihardt was not Native American. Can you replace his work with something by an actual Native American author?

 

ChatGPT:

Absolutely! Hereā€™s a replacement for the earlier entry, featuring a work by a Native American author:

 

"The School Days of an Indian Girl" by Zitkala-Sa

"Indian Boyhood" by Charles A. Eastman

"The Life of Black Hawk" by Black Hawk

"The Soul of the Indian" by Charles A. Eastman

"The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar"

  • Description: While Dunbar is often associated with African American literature, his works include reflections on Native American themes and experiences.
  • URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/21039 

 

Thank you for your patience, and let me know if you need more information or further assistance!


The result by Paul Lawrence Dunbar still doesnā€™t follow the prompt. Letā€™s try again.

Response: Dunbar is also not Native American. Please only send works by confirmed Native American authors.

 

ChatGPT:

Here are works by confirmed Native American authors that are in the public domain:

 

"The School Days of an Indian Girl" by Zitkala-Sa

"Indian Boyhood" by Charles A. Eastman

"The Life of Black Hawk" by Black Hawk

"A Daughter of the Middle Border" by Hamlin Garland

  • Description: While primarily known for his works on Midwestern life, Garland includes significant Native American themes in this autobiographical work.
  • URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14158 

"The Legends of the Iroquois" by James E. Howard

 

Thank you for your understanding, and please let me know if you need further assistance!


This list still did not accurately answer the prompt. I had to get very specific to finally receive a list of works written by Native American authors, using the following prompt.

 

šŸ’”Tip: When filtering out unwanted results, the more exclusionary terms you use (words/phrases such as ā€˜onlyā€™ and ā€˜...and nothing elseā€™), the more likely you are to receive correct results.

 

Response: You are still giving me works by non-Native authors. Can you give me a list of 5 works by confirmed Native American authors only, and no one else?

 

ChatGPT:

I apologize for the oversight. Hereā€™s a list of works by confirmed Native American authors that are in the public domain:

 

"The School Days of an Indian Girl" by Zitkala-Sa

"Indian Boyhood" by Charles A. Eastman

"The Life of Black Hawk" by Black Hawk

"My People the Sioux" by Mary Eastman

"The Soul of the Indian" by Charles A. Eastman

Thank you for your patience, and I hope this list meets your needs!

 

šŸ’”Tip: Did you notice that I only asked for the complete URL once, and in each following correction the AI still included full URLs without me asking again? It also remembered that I was asking for public domain works in the initial prompt. 


As you can see above, you may need to repeat your request multiple times to the AI, with as much specificity as possible, in order to achieve the accurate results you are looking for.

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