The ENCLOTHE Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook was developed and implemented for a Fashion Show Theory and Production course at a Mid-Southern University in the United States. This case study examines the effectiveness of this specialised OER in addressing the unique needs of an upper-division capstone fashion course. The textbook, designed to replace a costly industry-focused resource, offers interactive modules, video clips, and assignments compatible with learning management systems. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study evaluated students’ perceptions of the textbook’s usefulness and ease of use across time points during the semester. Student data revealed consistently high TAM scores, indicating strong acceptance and engagement with the resource. Qualitative feedback highlighted the textbook’s organisation, interactivity, and effectiveness in supporting task completion and conceptual understanding. The findings demonstrate the potential of well-designed OER to enhance educational experiences in specialised fields, improve technology use efficacy among students and support broader implementation across diverse curricula. This study contributes to the growing body of research on OER in higher education, particularly in niche subjects, and advocates for increased adoption of such resources to promote accessibility and engagement in specialised courses.

Keywords

open educational resources · open textbook · apparel merchandising and product design · fashion show theory · technology acceptance