Instructions for Authoring a Resource
OER Publishing Agreement (Sept. 2024)
Required Collection Tags
Instructions for Authoring a Resource
Overview
Instructions for creating resources in OER Commons and adding existing materials to the Open Massachusetts Repository in PDF and video format.
Instructions for Authoring a Resource
Slideshow of instructions to add content to the Open Massachusetts: A Public Higher Education Repository for Faculty and members of the Massachusetts Public Higher Education Community. A PDF version of this document is attached, and a video detailing the upload process can be found in the last section of this document.
An OER Commons Checklist and Agreement to Publish document is also attached. This document can streamline the uploading process, specifically with the descriptive metadata fields and appropriate licence selection.
If you have any questions throughout this process, email Repository Coordinator Rachel Oleaga, roleaga@necc.mass.edu for assistance.
A earlier version of instructions were drafted by Emily Butler in 2022.
Image credit: "A Woman Using a Laptop" by Polina Tankilevitch is in the Public Domain, CC0
Open Author
- Click "Add OER" on the top right header.
- Select the "Create Resource" button under the Open Author section.
*At this point, you may also select "Submit from Web." For more detailed instructions on this process see our Submit from Web section.*
Enter a Resource Title
- Enter the title of your resource in the first section.
- You may add a photograph or image to correspond with your resource [optional]
- Name the first section of your resource. Additional sections may be added as needed. If this is the only section, a name or title is still required.
Add Content
- Type or paste content into the Main Content area. Use the toolbar for formatting & insert images, videos, etc.
- To import content from Google Drive or One Drive, select the corresponding buttons.
- Do no link to a Google Doc. Posting direclty into the Main Content section is preferred for accesibility and editing purposes. If you need assistance adding content, save your progress and email the Repository Coordinator.
- Optional instructor notes can be included.
- Select "Insert New Section" to add more content & follow the same steps to add more content.
- Preview and save work periodically, and select "Next" for the final steps.
Describing the Resource
In the Overview section, provide short description of the resource. Include any keywords one might use to locate your resource, for example, relevant subject areas, lesson topics & proper nouns.
In the "Conditions of Use" dropdown bar, select from the following licenses:
Attribution
Attribution No Derivative Works
Attribution Share Alike
Attribution Non Commercial
Attribution Non - Commercial Share Alike
Attribution Non - Commercial No Derivative
Public Domain
Required Descriptive Fields
There are four required fields needed to describe your resource and complete the upload to the Hub. Each field is populated via a drop down menu. See below for details
Subjects
You must select at least one subject from the dropdown bar. Add all subjects which apply. For example: should your resource fall under Arts and Humanities > Art History > World Cultures, select all three.
Education Levels
More than one selection can be made in this section - materials should fall within the higher education options provided.
Material Types
To understand where your resource falls within the selections, see the attached document created by OER Commons.
Languages
Additional Descriptive Fields (Optional)
There are several additional description fields available to describe your resource. Although they are not required the more information provided about your resource, the more discoverable.
Media Formats
Select the appropriate format, for example, Graphics/photos or Video. If you are typing your resource directly into Open Author, select “text/HTML.” If you are uploading a document, select “downloadable docs.”
Adding content directly into the Main Content area is preferred over attaching documents. The Open Author tool allows you to upload from OneDrive or Google Drive directly into the content areas, and edit the text as needed from there. If you must attach a document, do not link to a Google Doc, as this can create accessibility issues.
Keyword Tags
Add any keyword that accurately describes your resource. This is important for helping users discover your resource. In addition, all resources should be tagged with the appropriate collection tag phrase. This should be typed in the "Keyword" section along with your other keywords. Find the collection tag phrase with best corresponds to your resource's subject below.
Applied Science: Mass CC Applied Sci
Arts & Humanities: Mass CC Art
Business: Mass CC Business
Career & Technical Education: Mass CC CTE
Criminal Justice & Law: Mass CC Law
Computer & Information Science: Mass CC CIS
Education: Mass CC Edu
English & Writing: Mass CC ELA
History: Mass CC History
Libraries & Information Literacy: Mass CC Libraries
Life Science: Mass CC Life Sci
Mathematics: Mass CC Math
OER, Copyright & Licensing: Mass CC OER
Physical Science: Mass CC Physical Sci
Psychology: Mass CC Psych
Nursing & Allied Health: Mass CC Nursing
Social Sciences: Mass CC Social Sci
Publishing the Resource!
- Check the acknowledgement of use permissions and then select publish!
- Throughout the process you can always return to previous pages and edit/change/update and preview your resource.
Submitting a Resource from the Web
- Click "Add OER" on the top right header.
- Select the "Add Link" button on the Submit from Web section.
- Paste the resources URL in the open bar and select continue.
- Follow the instructions for describing & publishing your resource from the previous sections!
More information can be found here: https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/109396/student/377849
Video training
Below is a video recording detailing the steps to upload a resource to the Open Massachusetts repository using the open author tool.