My journey continues. Wondering what waits behind the next corner…
I have read a lot about open learning, open education, distance learning and online learning. A month ago, I would have thought they were all the same, but now I have learned the differences and it is interesting, very interesting. I will focus on open learning in my blog today though.
Circosta (2015) talks about open learning classroom environment as “knocking down the walls” and opening the minds. That, I think, goes for both students and teachers. I think it is much easier for students to open their minds and work together while seeking for solutions, than it is for teachers. Especially if “you have always done it this or that way…”. The teachers must create open spaces for learning and help students to ask the questions and find the ideas.
Open learning means teaching material that is freely shared. It means being generous and overcoming the inner us saying “It is mine!”, learning not to be selfish. With no sharing there is no education, says David Wiley (2010) in his YouTube clip. “Expertise is nonrivalrous. It can be given without being given away.” We have to channge from a cultural of withholding to a cultural of generosity and sharing.
I found a clip on YouTube with Highlights of the OpenLearning Conference in 2017. Prof Dr Mahnaz Moallem says that we must focus on the 4C’s in open learning: Creativity, Critical thinking, Communication and Collaboration. Brooke Hahn points out that it is about getting the students active, to make them create and share something and have discussions around the themes. Prof Dr Gráinne Conole underlines the importance of teaching students to learn how to learn. Some great pics that were point on the essence of open learning.
Open learning is a great way of learning, but the students must take responsibility for what they learn, how they learn, where they learn, how quickly they learn, who will help them and also when they have their learning assessed (SSCoaching 2018). This means they must focus on their own learning and understand they are responsible of it.
I did a search in scientific magazines about open learning. Gaskell (2009) saw collaboration between institutions or universities as a positive outcome from open learning environments. Gaskell & Mills (2014) also discussed the accessibility to courses as a positive outcome. With accessibility they meant that students that have to work during day or have families can participate whenever it suits them and disabled students can access courses without worrying about how to get to the university, the same goes for soldiers and prisoners. Open learning gives flexibility to studies. Clinton (2018) also points out that it is cost-effective when students don’t have to buy their books.
Again two weeks filled with information followed by comprehension and new ideas about teaching. A good week!
REFERENCES
Circosta, C. 2015. Open Learning Classroom Environment. YouTube https://youtu.be/j8an8-S5hBQ
Clinton, V. 2018. Cost Outcomes, Use, and Perceptions of Open Educational Resources in Psychology: A Narrative Review of the Literature. Psychology Learning & Teaching. 0 (0), pp 1-17
Gaskell, A. 2009. Concepts of teaching and learning: revisiting issues in open, distance and e-learning. (Editorial). Open Learning. 2 (24) pp. 109-112
Gaskell, A., Mills R. 2014. The quality and reputation of open, distance and e-learning: what are the challenges? Open Learning. 3 (29), pp 190-205
Openlearningcom 2018. OpenLearning Conference 2017 Highlights. YouTube https://youtu.be/AtJHEQgN1og
SSCoaching 2018. Difference between Open Schooling and Distance Learning? https://sscoaching.in/Difference-open-distance-learning-_1224.html
Wiley, T. 2010. Open education and the future. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb0syrgsH6M