OU academic calls for digital textbooks in the UK

An OU academic has completed a £90,000 grant to develop digital textbooks, so that they are adopted in the UK.

Martin Weller, Professor of Educational Technology, is developing Open Textbooks, openly licensed academic textbooks, whereby the digital version is available free, and the print version at a reduced cost.

“They are a form of Open Educational Resource (OER) that has had significant impact and success in the USA and Canada,” said Professor Weller. “One of our aims now is to promote the adoption of these open textbooks in the UK.”

Professor Weller will talk more about this project and OERS in his OU inaugural lecture: Aspects of Open: The evolution of the meaning of open education, which he will deliver on Tuesday 19 February from 6-7pm.