Creative teaching and learning

Rice University's OpenStax textbooks are now integrated into digital access programs operated by VitalSource and RedShelf, facilitating their availability through bookstores run by Follett and Barnes & Noble Education. These inclusive access programs charge students for their digital textbooks at registration, ensuring they have access from day one of the semester. By incorporating OpenStax content, these programs can now offer high-quality, openly licensed textbooks either for free or for a nominal platform fee, enhancing the accessibility and discoverability of OER materials alongside traditional publisher content. This integration aims to simplify the procurement process for students and faculty, ensuring that educational resources are readily available at the start of courses. The partnerships reflect OpenStax's commitment to widespread, equitable access to educational materials. Richard Baraniuk, the founder of OpenStax, emphasized that this collaboration allows the organization to meet the diverse needs of students and faculty by offering content in preferred delivery formats and with additional services. Additionally, OpenStax is expanding its content development through a new collaboration with Freedom Learning Group (FLG), which employs military spouses as remote workers to create digital courseware. This initiative leverages the expertise of highly qualified professionals, many of whom are underemployed due to frequent relocations. By engaging this skilled workforce, OpenStax and FLG are addressing both the underutilization of OER and the employment challenges faced by military families. The partnerships and new initiatives reinforce OpenStax's mission to provide free, peer-reviewed, and openly licensed educational resources, broadening their impact and reach in the academic community.