OpenStax vs TESSA OER

OpenStax is a nonprofit education initiative of Rice University that publishes free, openly licensed textbooks and related materials for introductory courses. Subject matter experts write the textbooks, which are peer-reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Books can be read online on the web, Android or iOS, or downloaded as free PDFs; low-cost print editions are also offered. Most titles are accessible without an account, although a small number require sign-in. Students can highlight, take notes and create study guides, with a free student account required for some features. Educators with a free account can access test banks, PowerPoint slides, solutions manuals and customization tools. OpenStax Assignable lets instructors assign readings, assessments and supporting materials through an LMS, with automatic grading and gradebook synchronization. It supports LTI 1.3 and Blackboard, Canvas, D2L Brightspace and Moodle. Textbooks cost nothing. Assignable starts at $15, paid once, billed per student per semester; instructors use it free, and a two-week trial begins on the first day of access. Institutional pricing is by contact.

TESSA OER is a free education research and development project founded in 2005 that works with partners to support primary and secondary teachers across sub-Saharan Africa. Its open educational resources are linked to national curricula and offered in multiple language and country versions. The collection contains 90 subject-based modules: 75 structured primary units and 15 secondary units. Modules provide practical activities, case examples, classroom materials, and guidance on teaching strategies for engaging learners. Handbooks and toolkits support teachers and teacher educators, while the materials cover professional learning from initial teacher education through continuing development. A shared space lets teachers and teacher educators exchange adaptations. Published under an open Creative Commons licence, the resources are free to use, adapt, and share. Materials are available online and offline in digital and printed formats. Teachers may use them independently or integrate them into pre-service and in-service training programmes.