Get Started Using Open Textbooks

Textbooks can be expensive. Open textbooks can help alleviate the burden of textbook costs for students. They also allow you to tailor your course materials to achieve specific learning outcomes, prioritize equity and inclusion, and more.
This asynchronous online workshop will introduce you to open textbooks and allow you to explore existing open textbooks available for your courses. After you complete the workshop, you will be eligible to write a review of an open textbook and receive a $200 stipend. The stipend is funded by VIVA, Virginia’s Academic Library Consortium.
Apply
Apply between January 5 and February 5, 2026 to participate in the Spring 2026 workshop. Reviews are due March 22. (The application will be linked here when available.)
Dates
- You can complete this self-paced online workshop any time between January 5 and February 8, 2026
- The application to join will open January 5, 2026
- Textbook reviews will be due by March 22, 2026
Objectives
At the completion of this self-paced workshop, you will be able to:
- Understand barriers to student success
- Identify priorities for evaluating quality course materials
Contact
If you have questions or ideas for working together to address textbook affordability and open education initiatives at JMU, please contact Liz Thompson, JMU’s Open Education Librarian.
Workshop created by:
