Going Open: A Textbook Replacement Design Case

Abstract

This paper reports the design case focused on learning materials for an undergraduate educational technology course. In this case, the previously adopted proprietary course textbook was abandoned. In its place, the authors designed, developed, and implemented an original collection of open educational resources (OER) that when used together approximate a textbook. Key decision points in the design and development process are discussed, including the choice to create rather than adopt or adapt existing OER, the development of course content that fit the course needs, and the shift away from a more traditional textbook format. We also share thoughts about how to design, develop, and share OER that truly maintain the spirit of openness, making it easy for other instructors to not only adopt, but also adapt or remix and redistribute these learning materials as they see fit.