Open content epitomizes an educator's dreams in regards to not only providing access to information, but also providing it in a cost-effective method. Open content is fastly changing the landscape of the way information is disseminated in educational institutions and is an alternative to the traditional copyright methods. Anyone is able to obtain copies of content. Open content is paramount and appealing to educational institutions not only because of cost concerns but also because of the way it allows information to be obtained and distributed. According to the 2010 Horizon Report, "Part of the appeal of open content is that it is also a response to both the rising costs of traditionally published resources and the lack of educational resources in some regions, and a cost-effective alternative to textbooks and other materials. "
    An additional advantage of open content is that it not only allows easier access to information, but it also strengthens and solidifies the way students conduct research. "As customizable educational content is made increasingly available for free over the Internet, students are learning not only the material, but also skills related to finding, evaluating, interpreting, and repurposing the resources they are studying in partnership with their teachers" (2010 Horizon Report). Open content strengthens and enhances research skills that would not normally be obtained through traditional pen and paper research methods.
     Creative Commons is an organzation which affords creators of content to select which rights they relinquish and what rights they wish to retain regarding their work. There are various types of licences under Creative Commons. "Creative Commons licenses require licensees to get permission to do any of the things with a work that the law reserves exclusively to a licensor and that the license does not expressly allow" (creativecommons.org/licences). Creative Commons allows educators to select material to be used in their courses from the original author and synthesize that information into tailor made reading material for their courses.
     Electronic books take the arena of textbooks and every aspect associated with them to an entirely different level. The concept of a student having the ability to carry around thousands of titles on a Kindle and other gadgets is phenomenal! According to the 2010 Horizon Report, "The convenience of carrying an entire library in a purse, pocket, or book bag appeals to readers who find time for a few pages in between appointments or while commuting. Already firmly established in the public sector, electronic books are gaining a foothold on campuses as well, where they serve as a cost-effective and portable alternative to heavy textbooks and supplemental reading." This is excellent for students to have the capacity to select from various titles to read at any given moment of the day or night! Without having to worry about "physically" carrying textbooks around allows students to study no regardless of where they are. This in turn would probably lead to higher academic performance for they are not restricted by heavy books or time!