Digital Course Materials

Here you'll find articles detailing new developments in the area of e-textbooks, open educational resources and other digital course materials, along with stories about institutions adopting them.


Lumen Learning Initiative to Focus on Equity-Centered Courseware

Open education company Lumen Learning has announced a new initiative aimed at creating and implementing equitable course materials that will boost student success.

Faculty Usage of Digital Course Materials Falls Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels

While many colleges and universities turned to digital course materials to serve the needs of remote learners during the pandemic, faculty usage of e-textbooks and other digital content has decreased now that classes have resumed in-person instruction, according to the latest "Faculty Watch" survey from the National Association of College Stores.

Open Textbook Library Reaches 1,000 Titles

Just in time for its 10-year anniversary, the Open Textbook Library's collection of open education resources has surpassed 1,000 titles.

AAC&U Announces 2022-2023 Institute on Open Educational Resources

The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) is now accepting applications for its 2022-2023 Institute on Open Educational Resources, a year-long training program on designing and implementing OER plans on campus.

Nearpod Expands Higher Ed Content

Nearpod, an instructional platform that enables educators to create interactive learning materials using their own content or the company's library of lessons, videos and activities, is expanding its content offering with more than 500 higher education course materials and resources.

North Park University Launches Online Bookstore to Reduce Financial Barriers for Students

In an effort to boost textbook affordability for its students, North Park University is making all required course materials available through a new online bookstore that provides expanded options for low-cost textbooks.

New VitalSource Feature Offers AI-Generated Practice Activities

Education technology company VitalSource has added a component to Bookshelf, its digital textbook platform, to generate practice activities. The new function, CoachMe, uses artificial intelligence to generate questions that are formed from the text and shown in the margins of the page.

Lumen Learning User Testing Center to Examine Equity in OER Solutions

Open educational resources provider Lumen Learning is partnering with Rockland Community College to launch a user testing center that will gauge the effectiveness and cultural relevance of the company's OER solutions, particularly for low-income and minority students.

OpenStax Gets Federal Funding for Computer Science OER

Open educational resources publisher OpenStax has received funding from the U.S. Department of Education to address a gap in the OER textbook market.

Follett Announces Sale of Baker & Taylor

Follett Corp. has sold book and digital content distributor Baker & Taylor, which will now operate as a separate, privately owned entity. The company was sold to a private investment group led by Amandeep Kochar, who previously served as general manager and executive vice president of Baker & Taylor.