About WisTech Open
The story of WisTech Open begins with an idea: that high-quality learning should be free and accessible to everyone. In 2019, Chippewa Valley Technical College launched Open RN (Open Resources for Nursing) with support from a U.S. Department of Education Open Textbooks Pilot Grant. The goal? To reduce the cost of nursing education by creating open, interactive textbooks aligned to the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) curriculum.
Open RN quickly grew into a nationally recognized initiative, producing award-winning nursing textbooks and saving students millions of dollars. These free resources included built-in assessments, H5P learning activities, and engaging simulations—helping future nurses succeed in the classroom and beyond.
Our Mission
At WisTech Open, our mission is to make high-quality, interactive learning accessible to all by developing and sharing free, openly licensed educational resources. We empower students, educators, and institutions through innovative, inclusive, and cost-saving solutions—rooted in collaboration, academic excellence, and a belief that education should be a public good. Originating with Open RN, we continue to expand our reach, supporting learners in nursing and beyond, across Wisconsin and the world.
Statewide Movement
As Open RN gained traction, faculty and colleges across Wisconsin began creating and sharing their own open educational resources (OER). OER projects expanded into anatomy and physiology, nursing assistant training, early childhood education, and more. The success of Open RN had sparked something bigger—a movement toward open, affordable learning across the WTCS.
Student Advocacy Leads the Way
The creation of WisTech Open was directly influenced by student advocacy at the state level. The Wisconsin Student Government (WSG)—the official voice of students at Wisconsin’s technical colleges—championed the need for open educational resources to increase affordability and access.
Through public resolutions, testimony, and collaboration with state leaders, WSG highlighted how open resources could reduce student costs and promote greater fairness in higher education. Their advocacy helped shape the vision and secure support for what would become WisTech Open.
The Launch of WisTech Open
In response to this growing momentum, and with strong support from students and faculty, WisTech Open was officially founded in 2023 as a statewide OER initiative serving the WTCS. Built on the foundation of Open RN, WisTech Open empowers Wisconsin’s technical colleges to create, share, and implement open resources that align with WTCS programs.
We support faculty through tools, templates, and guidance. We collaborate across institutions to develop openly licensed content. And we continue to steward and expand the legacy of Open RN.
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Looking Ahead
Today, WisTech Open is helping transform the way career and technical education is delivered in Wisconsin. Our open resources are used in classrooms across the state—and beyond. Our growing library includes materials for health sciences, human services, general education, and the trades.
Thanks to the leadership of students and educators alike, we’re building a future where open education fuels opportunity and success for all.