Open Course Materials Matching Service (OCoMMS)

The mission of the Open Course Materials Matching Service (OCoMMS) is to reduce barriers to education for students through the increased use of open educational resources by faculty within their courses.

A 2021 survey by the UCalgary Students’ Union found that 85% of students agree or strongly agree that the cost of textbooks and required materials is a source of hardship and stress. This data is consistent with findings at many other institutions around the world. In response, students may choose not to purchase course textbooks and other course materials, which can have an impact their learning and success in a course.

Open educational resources can be used by faculty to replace materials that may pose a financial barrier to students to provide cost savings as well as increased learning and engagement in a course. OER initiatives are taking place around the globe decreasing financial barriers and enhancing student learning.

However, the most significant barriers for faculty to adopt OER in their courses is the ability to dedicate time and energy for finding open educational resources that match the needs of their course. This is where the new Open Course Materials Matching Service (OCoMMS) can help!

Headed by the OCoMMS Support team at LCR, OCoMMS is a service available to faculty at any point in the planning and development of course curriculum, whether it is an individual course or a course with multiple sections and teaching faculty.

1. Reduce textbook and other course material costs for students to provide more equitable access to education.
2. Provide opportunities for teaching faculty to customize their teaching and learning materials through the use of open educational resources to strengthen their course curriculum, course materials, and pedagogy.
3. Improve equity, diversity, and inclusion within teaching and learning materials through Open Educational Resources. OER can facilitate increased accessibility and representation through their digital nature, adaptability, and locality.
4. Improve digital literacy through student use and engagement with digitally-based Open Educational Resources, which is also beneficial for lifelong learning and skill-based experiences.