Beyond the Basics: Adapting an Open Textbook to Accommodate a Flipped Class

Abstract

Through a collaborative effort between an instructional design team and the Biology Department at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the OpenStax Biology 2e open, online textbook was modified with new features to improve student engagement and learning outcomes. This study investigated students’ perceptions of the customized textbook. A survey of 22 questions was completed by 446 students using the textbook as a part of an introductory Biology course. Changes made to the textbook were well received by the majority of students and suggestions were made for improvements. Current and future revisions to the textbook are discussed.