Today’s college classrooms look vastly different from the ones a decade ago. With a wealth of technology solutions readily available, a fundamental question arises: are instructors finally ditching those weighty textbooks for good? The answer, as it turns out, is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Instead of complete abandonment, we’re witnessing an evolution where educators are creatively blending resources to craft richer learning experiences for their students.
Our 2025 Higher Ed Trends Report paints a clear picture: a majority of instructors are moving beyond traditional textbooks, embracing a more diverse range of resources in their teaching practices. Our survey revealed that:
- 50% of educators utilize a combination of sources to develop their lessons, assignments, quizzes, and tests.
- 26% are actively developing their own teaching materials, tailoring content to their specific needs.
- 9% primarily leverage the wealth of Open Educational Resources (OER) available.
Most notably, only 12% of educators reported relying solely on commercial textbooks and accompanying publisher materials for their instructional material. This significant trend underscores a growing recognition that traditional “one-size-fits-all” textbooks often struggle to adequately address the diverse learning styles of today’s students and keep pace with the rapid advancements in information.
The Rise of Digital Integration and its Challenges
The 2025 Trends Report reveals how deeply digital tools are now woven into the fabric of instruction. Unsurprisingly, an institution’s Learning Management System (LMS) stands as the central platform, guiding the methodology for 64% of educators. Textbook publisher software also plays a role, utilized by 17% of instructors.
However, this reliance isn’t without its drawbacks. A key finding highlights the frustration surrounding the limited editability of publisher-provided software. Many educators reported restrictions due to copyright or inflexible software design. This poses a particular challenge in rapidly evolving fields like technology, where current information is crucial. While publishers aim to protect accuracy and intellectual property, these limitations are prompting some instructors to reconsider their dependence on these commercial resources.
Despite these hurdles, the blending of traditional resources with digital technology offers significant advantages. Educators cite increased flexibility of materials for students, as well as access to a broader range of learning resources as key benefits.
Re-evaluating Online Learning Resources: From Elementary to Higher Ed
The shift toward blended learning isn’t isolated to higher education. Today’s college students are digital natives, having experienced technology-rich learning environments throughout their K-12 years. An impressive 63% of primary and elementary school teachers are integrating technology, with educational apps and interactive platforms moving from supplementary to core instructional tools.
This widespread adoption signals a fundamental re-evaluation of the entire educational resource ecosystem. Educators are increasingly prioritizing the flexibility of resources, control of course material, and the ability to tailor/edit materials to meet the diverse needs of their students. While publisher software remains a part of this ecosystem, its limitations are driving many to explore alternative solutions that offer greater adaptability and user friendliness.
Additionally, the desire for more personalized and accessible learning experiences is driving these shifts. Online learning platforms that complement an LMS, such as Möbius, make it easy for instructors to curate their individual teaching toolkits, which allow them to edit/update existing material, create their own materials, seamlessly incorporate interactive elements, and tailor material directly to meet individual students’ needs and learning styles.
Ultimately, the story isn’t about the extinction of textbooks entirely. It’s about an evolution in how educators are pivoting and strategically leveraging the strengths of both traditional and digital tools to create a more accessible, engaging, and relevant learning journey for all students.