connexions

Connexions was a digital library, authoring environment, and publishing system for open educational resources. It originated at Rice University in 1999, led by Richard Baraniuk and colleagues, with support from the National Science Foundation and other funders. The project introduced a modular approach to learning materials, where content is divided into small, self-contained units called modules. Each module typically includes text, figures, exercises, metadata, and licensing information, and modules can be combined with others to form textbooks or courses.

The system emphasizes remixing and reuse. Educators can customize existing modules, assemble them into new books, and publish materials that suit specific courses or learning objectives. Content on Connexions is openly licensed, commonly under Creative Commons licenses, allowing for reuse, adaptation, and redistribution. The platform provides a web-based authoring and browsing interface, supports linking and tagging, and offers metadata to improve discoverability. Users could export content in formats such as HTML, PDF, and ePub, facilitating distribution beyond the online library.

In its development, Connexions evolved into OpenStax CNX in the early 2010s, as part of an expansion led by OpenStax at Rice University. The CNX platform and its library of modular content were designed to support free, openly licensed textbooks and course materials that instructors could customize. Over time, the project and its materials were integrated with OpenStax’s broader initiatives. Connexions is thus recognized as an early pioneer of modular, remixable open educational resources and as a historical precursor to modern open textbook ecosystems.