How do we build practices and pedagogies that center the core values of Open Education? Building an open educational culture that is inclusive, equity-driven, publicly engaged, and respects student voice and agency can't be done alone or in silos but thrives ina community of practice environment with shared resources and values. In order to support this work, the Open Education Network (OEN) has partnered with librarians, faculty, instructional designers, and accessibility specialists from Roger Williams University, North Carolina State University, Ohio State University, North Carolina Central University, Plymouth State University, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa to develop a new certificate program that prepares faculty and librarians to work together in this important work.
This program is designed to balance the roles of institutional practitioners, namely librarians and faculty, involved in supporting course instructors to build out learning spaces using foundational principles in Open Education. The end goal of the program, and consequently, the model for professional learning is to encourage institutions to use elements of instructional development and design for their ability to address well-known factors that complicate opportunities for student learning and success, and particularly for those students who have been historically and culturally disempowered or marginalized. Research in open educational pedagogies and practices has shown that increasing accessibility, creating spaces for student empowerment and voice, and using a diverse set of instructional practices, including a wide range of technological tools in the distance learning spaces, results in increased engagement for students from diverse backgrounds.
This session will introduce the OEN Certificate in Open Educational Practices, which is generously funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The development of this program has intentionally brought together diverse stakeholders invested in open education to develop the shared vocabulary, explore the collaborative tools, and build a community that can make the aspirations of Open Education tangible at their institution. Join us to learn more about the program and explore strategies for developing open practices and pedagogies at your own institution that knit together local communities and tap into a global body of practice.
By attending this session, attendees will be able to:- Explore relevant processes for building professional learning around Open Educational Practices
- Explain a promising model for building open instructional and pedagogical communities
- Evaluate specific strategies for supporting open practices and pedagogies
- Identify spaces to take action at their own institution to build a more connected and empowered community of open practice