The world has seen a transformation in the ways we can now make available education for our citizens. These changes have been brought about by today’s technology and, more specifically, the Internet. It has made possible access to many resources and fosters a social network of sharing, one in which content is freely contributed and distributed with few restrictions or cost. (Brown &Adler 2008)

One of the most significant movements to develop from this transformation has been the Open Educational Resources movement (OER) which has provided free access to a wide range of courses and other educational materials. (ibid) And within this context two important initiatives have formed, the Open Courseware initiative (OCW) and the Open Textbook initiative.

This paper will focus primarily on the Open Textbook initiative with particular attention given to what may very well be its most significant cause: the push for open textbooks for college students.

I will provide a brief overview of the OER movement to give clarity as to how it encompasses both the OCW and Open Textbook initiatives. I will also differentiate between the existing categories within the Open Textbook initiative to point out both their similarities and differences and to emphasize what makes the college Open Textbook movement unique.

The true impact of these movements is yet to be determined but it would be safe to say that education, both in regards to learning styles and available resources will never be the same.