Open Pedagogy
In traditional teaching methods many of the learning materials are made for repetition and memorization unlike open pedagogy where students have the ability to create knowledge. Open pedagogy empowers students as it gives them autonomy to their own learning. Educators on the other hand are also able to curate content that they deem fit for their learners.
The Role and Impact of OER
OER emphasizes the idea of accessible education. One that is freely available to anyone, anywhere. These learning materials are openly licensed to allow educators to modify them and tailor materials to their students’ needs.
For example, Quizlet. It enhances my learning by providing interactive study tools like flashcards and quizzes, making it easier and more enjoyable to engage with the material. I can also create custom study sets based on specific content, allowing me to tailor my own learning experience. This is especially helpful because I grew up making physical queue cards for tests, but with a quizlet I can make it less than double the time with its own special functions.
OER plays a big role in enhancing equity and accessibility in education. It helps bridge the digital divide by providing free educational materials to students in low-income areas who might have a hard time to accessing resources. OER can also be designed to meet diverse learning needs and reflect different cultural perspectives, making education more inclusive. Additionally, these resources can reach learners in remote and underserved communities around the world, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to learn and succeed.
Global Trends in OER
OER has made impactful differences globally. For example, universities around the world are developing and sharing open courseware, which allows students and the general public to access high-quality educational content for free. An example of this is Kyoto University OCW.
Kyoto University’s OpenCourseWare (OCW) compiles videos of lectures, class materials, and syllabi from various courses, making them available to a global audience. The goal of this initiative is to share knowledge widely for educational purposes. One big challenge for these OER’s is the quality of its materials. Unlike traditional educational materials, which are often standardized and are reviewed properly.
Understanding Creative Common Licensing
In the context of Open Educational Resources (OER), understanding Creative Commons licensing is crucial for ensuring that creators receive proper credit for their work. There are six licenses available, each designed to clarify how content can be used, modified, and shared. For instance, if I were an educator developing a new course module, I would opt for a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. This license allows me to freely use, modify, and share the material as long as I credit the original author. This practice not only honours the contributions of original creators but also fosters a culture of sharing and innovation within educational environments.
Here is an example of creating a Creative Commons License for educators:
Attributes of Open Pedagogy
Open Pedagogy is characterized by key attributes such as collaboration, transparency, and student-centered learning, all of which fosters a more inclusive learning environment. Collaboration can be promoted through group projects that encourage peer-to-peer learning and the exchange of ideas, while also allowing students to create their own learning materials, such as digital resources. Transparency involves clearly communicating the goals and expectations of the course, ensuring that students have free access to all learning materials. Finally, the focus on student-centered learning enhances student autonomy by allowing them to select projects or assignments that resonate with their interests, ultimately increasing their motivation and engagement.