A Study of Usage and Implementation of Flexbooks Among High School Algebra and Biology Teachers and Principles in Arizona

The purpose of this study is to discover the challenges, advantages and disadvantages regarding the implementation and usage of customized digital curriculum called Flexbooks or Open Education Resources (OER) in select high school biology and algebra courses in Arizona. The results of this study will be used to assist educational leaders in the implementation of Flexbooks into their respective educational systems.While economics is a driving factor behind the Flexbook movement, many school systems are struggling with the technology support and necessary infrastructure in order to begin adoption. Studies conducted in higher education systems indicate that technology infrastructure enhancements and teacher training are essential to successful implementation and sustainability of digital content.The results of this study reported challenges to Flexbook implementation in areas of time, Internet access, adequate resources, technology infrastructure and printing ofFlexbooks. The reported advantages to the use ofFlexbooks in the classroom were customization, alignment to curriculum, cost and Internet access.The reported disadvantages to the use of Flexbooks in the classroom were time and Internet access. This study is essential to those educational leaders looking to implement customized digital curriculum, like Flexbooks and OER, into the classroom to not only help with the economic challenges of textbook adoption but to also move their systems forward in world of technology innovation with strong federal support.