Beyond the Textbook: 5 Innovative Formats for Open Educational Resources

As educators, we know that the traditional textbook doesn’t always meet the diverse needs of today’s learners. Fortunately, Open Educational Resources (OER) offer the flexibility to break out of that mold. If you're ready to reimagine your course materials, here are five innovative OER formats that can boost engagement and accessibility:

1. Modular Microcontent

Bite-sized learning for modern attention spans

Rather than packaging everything in long chapters, modular microcontent presents information in focused, stand-alone units. Think of each piece as a learning block—perfect for flipped classrooms or self-paced learners. I personally like to use short videos, no longer than five minutes, to keep students engaged and ensure they can fit learning into their busy schedules. These short modules are especially effective in digital learning environments where students benefit from quick, digestible content they can revisit as needed.

2. Interactive Notebooks

Code, data, and explanations—all in one place

For STEM fields, interactive notebooks like Jupyter or Google Colab allow students to read explanations, run code, and visualize data in a single document. In my classes, I like to take collaboration a step further by using shared Google Docs. This way, students can collectively contribute to a single objective, brainstorming and refining their understanding in real time. This collaborative approach not only reinforces the material but also fosters a sense of community and shared problem-solving.

3. Multimedia Lessons

Engage multiple senses, enhance understanding

Multimedia-rich lessons combine video, audio, images, and interactive elements to support diverse learning styles. I like to embed quizzes in the middle of videos or text to boost student engagement and ensure comprehension. Tools like H5P and Edpuzzle make it easy to create these interactive experiences. It’s an effective format for flipping the classroom or supplementing lecture content.

4. Digital Storytelling

Turn your lesson into a journey

Storytelling is a powerful educational tool. I've started using podcasts in my classes to offer a different style of learning that resonates with students. If you're not comfortable creating your own podcast, you can easily generate one using AI tools like NotebookLM. This approach helps turn abstract or complex topics into relatable narratives, making the learning experience more engaging and memorable.

5. Simulations and Virtual Labs

Learn by doing—even from a distance

When physical labs aren’t an option, virtual ones can fill the gap. I've used ChatGPT to generate AI simulations for teaching the scientific method, allowing students to experiment with hypotheses, variables, and outcomes in a virtual environment. Platforms like PhET, LabXchange, and Tinkercad offer immersive, interactive experiences, but AI-generated simulations can also be customized to fit specific learning goals. These tools let students explore scientific principles through trial and error, encouraging curiosity and critical thinking.

Final Thoughts

OER gives you the freedom to go beyond the static textbook. By embracing these innovative formats, you can design learning experiences that are not only accessible and cost-free—but also dynamic, inclusive, and future-ready.