CK-12 FlexBook 2.0 vs OpenSciEd
CK-12 FlexBook 2.0
ck12.orgOpenSciEd
openscied.orgSide by side
| Figure | CK-12 FlexBook 2.0 | OpenSciEd |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 4 |
| Spec score · K-12 Curriculum Platforms | 8.9 (#1) | 8.1 (#11) |
| Accessibility | CK-12’s 2024 VPAT states that the FlexBooks 2.0 platform meets AA conformance across the criteria covered by the report. | OpenSciEd publishes Accessibility Conformance Reports addressing Section 508 and WCAG 2.2 for elementary, middle and high-school materials. |
| Privacy and security | CK-12 says it uses administrative, technological, and physical safeguards and encrypts information transmissions using SSL or similar technologies. | The website collects registration information such as name, email, and organization, uses cookies for login sessions, and says users are responsible for protecting their passwords. |
| What it does | FlexBook 2.0 is CK-12’s interactive digital textbook platform for math and science lessons with embedded learning resources. | OpenSciEd is a nonprofit organization providing phenomenon-based, NGSS-aligned science instructional materials for grades K–12. |
Plans
OpenSciEd
- OpenSciEd core curriculumFree
- OpenSciEd curriculum and resourcesFree
- Certified distributor packagesPriced on request
- Packaged curriculum from certified distributorsPriced on request
In their own words
CK-12 FlexBook 2.0
CK-12 FlexBook 2.0 provides customizable digital textbooks for K–12 subjects including science, math, and social studies. Lessons can combine text with PLIX interactives, simulations, adaptive practice, and related learning materials. Adaptive Practice draws questions from a library of more than 150,000 and adjusts selections based on student answers. Teachers can assign lessons, videos, interactives, and practice to whole classes or differentiated groups, then view progress reports. Educators can reorder chapters and edit or add content in customized FlexBooks. The service works in browsers on laptops, desktops, Chromebooks, tablets, and mobile devices, and is listed at free. Standalone Simulations and PLIX Interactives require a tablet-size screen or larger. Users may download PDFs of FlexBooks they create or customize, though interactive content may not render; CK-12-created PDFs are not downloadable. CK-12 says it is still converting all core content to FlexBook 2.0. Listed SSO or LMS partners include Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, Kiddom, Clever, and ClassLink.
OpenSciEd
OpenSciEd creates free science curriculum materials and professional learning resources for educators, with NGSS alignment across elementary, middle and high school. Its lessons center on scientific phenomena and student questioning, investigation and problem-solving; teachers are encouraged to adapt them. Released units can be downloaded as PDFs, Google Drive files, Word documents or PowerPoint files, and some are available in Google Classroom or Canvas versions. Free self-guided learning paths and an on-demand support library provide videos and resources for unit preparation, classroom routines and anticipating student ideas. Registration is required to access the materials and is intended for educators or parents, not K–12 students. Middle school materials use CC BY 4.0; elementary and high school materials use CC-BY-NC licensing, with noncommercial 5R permissions free and perpetual. OpenSciEd High School offers three NGSS courses. The organization describes itself as an independent nonprofit, and the website is listed for web access.