Using Creative Commons to License OER

Using Creative Commons

As we begin incorporating OER, we may create our own materials and want to add them to the OER libraries. The information on this page will help you understand how to license your own creations.

The following video explains a bit about Creative Commons Licenses and provides a good starting point for understanding what open licensing and Creative Commons is all about:

How Do I. . .

Figure out which Open License I need?

First, use the Creative Commons open license, the most widely used open licensing tool.
Next, review this excellent page in Creative Commons, which breaks down the licenses: Breaking Down the CC Licenses Links to an external site.. Please watch the 5-minute video on the page.
Try this fantastic interactive resource: Introduction to Creative Commons Licenses. Links to an external site.

Apply an Open License to my own work?

To start, make sure you watched the video on the Breaking Down the CC Licenses Links to an external site. page.
Next, go through this Creative Commons License Chooser. Links to an external site. (You may also consider trying out this beta version of Creative Commons license chooser: Beta License Chooser.) Links to an external site.

Attribute Creative Commons Licensed Materials?

Attribution Best Practices Links to an external site.

Still Need Help?

If you still have questions about openly licensing material that you have created yourself or adopted/adapted, please reach out to oer@canyons.edu.

Sources and More Reading

- About the Licenses Links to an external site. -- The video on this page explains the concept of open licensing as well as the "how to" of Creative Commons open licensing in under three minutes.
- Examples of Creative Commons License Use Links to an external site. -- The scenarios presented on this page may help you understand better the types of Creative Commons licenses and in what sorts of situations you may apply them to your own work.
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs) Links to an external site. -- Any question you have about Creative Commons and open licensing is probably asked and answered on this page.
- Choose a License Links to an external site. -- This page asks you a few questions about your intentions/the license features and then provides the link, icon, verbiage, etc. you need to display your license on your work. You should refer to this site to openly license your work for 3.6 Open Pedagogy and Anti-Racism Discussion.

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