Why It’s Time to Move to Custom Course Materials

April 4, 2025

Did you know that 65% of college students say they’ve skipped buying a required textbook because of cost? And that’s just the beginning of a bigger problem.

Students disengage not due to apathy but because course materials often feel outdated, irrelevant, and disconnected from the world they're preparing to enter.

In an age where companies advance faster than publishing cycles and information becomes obsolete overnight, static textbooks are not only inconvenient but also harmful to students.

The Problem with Traditional Course Materials

Let’s face it: the one-size-fits-all approach just doesn’t work anymore. Here’s why traditional materials are falling short:

They’re not aligned with your course.
Textbooks often cover far more (or far less) than what your syllabus requires. That results in wasted time and confused students who struggle to connect the content to what they’re actually learning in class.
They’re expensive.
According to research, nearly two-thirds of students skip buying required textbooks because of high costs. When students lack access to the foundational material, engagement inevitably suffers.
They’re uninspiring.
Static PDFs or hard-copy books can’t match the interactive, multimedia-driven world students are used to. Learning should be active—not passive.
They’re quickly outdated.
Academic fields evolve. Your materials should evolve, too. Traditional publishing cycles can’t keep pace with new discoveries or timely examples. When course materials lag behind current research, technology, or real-world application, students tune out.

Why Custom Course Materials Are a Game-Changer

Customization isn’t just a trend—it’s a strategic shift in how educators deliver value and relevance. When course materials are tailored to the exact needs of your students, engagement and comprehension rise dramatically.

Here’s what’s possible with custom content:

Content that fits like a glove.
You decide what goes in, what stays out, and in what order. Whether it's combining chapters from multiple sources or integrating your own notes and examples, you're in control.
Lower costs, higher access.
Especially with options like the Pay-by-Chapter mode or rentall, custom digital products can be priced more flexibly.
Interactive learning experiences.
Add assessments, videos, or self-check quizzes directly into your materials. This not only helps students engage but also gives them immediate feedback as they learn.
Real-time updates.
Say goodbye to obsolete editions. Custom materials can be continuously refined, keeping your content fresh and relevant semester after semester.
Seamless integration with your LMS.
It is simple for educators to begin using custom digital materials. They connect well with existing LMS platforms, making course management simple.

LiveCarta: Your Partner in Building Custom Course Materials

This is where LiveCarta makes a real impact. Our platform empowers educators to break away from outdated publishing constraints and create dynamic, modern course content.

With LiveCarta, you can:

Curate and personalize content from existing textbooks, open educational resources, and your own materials.
Incorporate multimedia, self-assessments, and annotations that drive active engagement.
Offer flexible pricing models like Pay-by-Chapter, putting affordability front and center.
Integrate seamlessly with your LMS, so your students access everything in one place.
Leverage AI-powered tools to accelerate content creation and reduce time-consuming manual work. LiveCarta’s AI-powered tools assist in building custom courses, organizing curriculum, and suggesting content without violating author rights.

Publishers and educators remain in control, with full transparency over what’s used, how it’s adapted, and who retains the rights.

The Bottom Line: Relevance Drives Results

Students are more motivated when they understand the “why” behind what they’re learning—and when they see that what they're studying today will help them succeed tomorrow.

By shifting to custom, up-to-date course materials, institutions signal that they take that responsibility seriously. And students feel the difference—in their engagement, their confidence, and their future readiness.

Let’s make education more relevant, affordable, and future-focused.
Request a demo and discover how LiveCarta makes it easy to build custom materials that meet your course’s needs—and your students’ ambitions.