Dynamic, Customizable, and Free: Increasing Inclusion in Human Sexuality Courses Using OER

Abstract

Traditional commercial textbooks at the college level are slow to update, often have problematic language or content related to queer and trans identities, and are likely to be prohibitively expensive. As an alternative, I explore the benefits of using open educational resources (OER) and free-to-access resources for a human sexuality course. I argue that using OER gives instructors the ability to customize content that is relevant to their students and location while spotlighting experiences that are frequently left out of commercial textbooks. Further, using OER provides opportunities for instructors and students to depathologize queer identities and challenge systems of oppression. Using my own experience, I present a case study of redesigning a human sexuality course with OER, including the process of evaluating and selecting sources. Finally, I offer suggestions for instructors who want to utilize OER and related free-to-access resources in their own classes.