Introduction to Open Education

Open education has come a long way over the last two decades in reshaping the effectiveness and economics of education. With increased adoption at higher education institutions, open education holds the potential for creating broader systemic changes, including:

• reducing educational costs;
• increasing agency of learners and faculty;
• promoting greater transparency;
• improving student outcomes.

This course is designed to promote awareness of open education among graduate students, faculty, and learning designers. You will be introduced to open education concepts that will equip you to utilize open educational resources within your own institutions. As more educators share open educational resources, greater collaboration and shared knowledge is possible. This shift can increase access to quality educational possibilities, particularly in places that have not historically had these opportunities.

Week 1: Why Open Matters
Week 2: Copyright, The Public Domain, and The Commons
Week 3: The 5R Activities and the Creative Commons Licenses
Week 4: Creating, Finding, and Using OER
Week 5: Research on the Impact of OER Adoption
Week 6: The Next Battles for Openness: Data, Algorithms, and Competency Mapping