Open Textbooks

What are open textbooks?

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or are under copyright that have been released under an open license, that permit no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, adaptation and redistribution by others. (UNESCO, 2019)

Open textbooks are one form of Open Educational Resources (OER), academic books published digitally with an open licence that allows them to be freely used, shared and, in some cases, modified. These resources are written by academic and expert authors in a range of subject disciplines. Open textbooks are published on web-based platforms that allow for creation, adaptation, export and distribution.

Open textbooks can be incorporated into reading lists, either in whole or in part, to complement the existing published resources provided by the Library. They offer the potential for a more customised, inclusive and accessible reading experience.

Brunel Library is exploring the use of open textbooks, and their application for teaching and learning at Brunel. We have recently become one of the two UK universities to join the Open Education Network, an international community of universities, colleges and schools working together to promote and enable the adoption and creation of OER in education.

Benefits of open textbooks:

For students:

• Accessibility: Open textbooks can be accessed in a variety of online formats, either as a web-based book or a downloadable file that can be read offline and/or used in conjunction with screen reading software.
• Inclusion in the learning process: Open textbooks offer an affordable option for students who might otherwise find the cost of traditionally published textbooks a barrier to participation. In some instances, open textbooks can also be adapted. This means more diverse examples and voices, reflective of the cohort, can be incorporated into teaching materials. 
• Fully downloadable: Some Library ebooks are only available as online textbooks with limited download options. Open textbooks have no digital download restrictions, benefitting several groups such as commuter students who read offline and learners who need access to a PDF for assistive technology.
• Life-long learning: Open textbooks are not restricted to enrolled students at a particular institution. Recommended texts can be consulted and used in future learning and accessed by a variety of public audiences. 

For staff:

• Adoption of open textbooks can enable a more inclusive classroom, supporting student engagement with learning materials and attainment. 
• Use and creation of OER can demonstrate engagement with key areas of practice for staff members working on accreditation or promotion applications. 
• Open textbooks offer the potential for quick adaptation and modification to tailor teaching materials to a specific cohort or group or to represent diversity in the teaching materials.
• Open textbooks enable the creation and publication of original and innovative content without being limited by publisher processes. 

For the organisation:

• The use of open textbooks, and OER more generally, aligns with Brunel's vision for digitally-enabled education, that is equitable, accessible and inclusive. 
• Consideration of these types of materials also support the University's strategy addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically SDG4, which aims to 'Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all'. 

Find out more: 

Our guide to 'Open Educational Resources for Teaching and Learning' below details where to look for examples of open textbooks in your discipline and provides further information on the permissions, attribution and use of these types of resources:

 You can also contact the Library team via our Open Textbooks email.