Resources for Academic Content Developers

If you are interested in applying to an RFA to develop and deliver an OPEN course, please view this webinar on OPEN RFAs for guidance on how to put together a successful proposal.If you are a partner developing an OPEN course, or you would like to become a partner, please click the following links to view guidelines for OPEN course development:

  • CC BY Guidelines: These guidelines demonstrate the program's expectations for using openly-licensed materials in courses. 
  • CC BY Manual: This manual is intended to help course developers to properly use and attribute Open Educational Resources (OERs) in OPEN courses.
  • DOS Materials Content Best Practices: These guidelines from the Department of State (DOS) provide guidance on making courses appropriate for a global audience.
  • DOS OPEN Program Research Guidance: These guidelines from the Department of State (DOS) provide guidance on working with professors, graduate students, and independent researchers who are interested in conducting research on the OPEN Program. 
  • Instructional Design Standards: These guidelines explain program expectations for creating courses that are accessible to the program's audience and support the goals of the program.
  • TESOL Content Standards: These guidelines are intended to help course developers to create courses that meet the unique pedagogical and cultural needs of the OPEN Program.
  • MOOC Guidelines: These guidelines explain program expectations for creating massive open online courses (MOOCs) that meet the goals of the program. 
  • Online Course Accessibility Checklist: This checklist may be used to determine the level of accessibility of any online course.
  • OPEN Video Production Tips: This brief document outlines some tips for creating high-quality videos for OPEN courses.