During this past week we have explored Topic 2: Open Learning – Sharing and Openness, and started to discuss and reflect upon a plethora of things. What does openness mean? Open as in uncensored, open as in putting material or resources out there for anyone and anywhere to find, or open as in answering questions if asked? The same goes for sharing, with whom do we share, what do we share and why do we share?
This weeks webinar spoke to me on so many levels. For one, I was once again reminded of just how easy it is to forget ones own privileges and think that, for example, as long as I am open and sharing, everyone can access whatever is shared. In my everyday teaching of User Experience Design (UXD), I keep talking about the importance of putting yourself in the shoes of whomever you are designing for, however it is really easy to forget the importance of this, especially in other settings. Topic 1 touched upon digital literacy, and literacy is one important aspect when it comes to accessibility. Another aspect touches the more practical side, that is having the tools (i.e. laptop, tablet or mobile phone), and/or sufficient quality of internet access, and not to mention the significance of having an environment that allows for reading, listening or more active participation.
Another thing that sprung to mind during the webinar was that the culture that one works within, as well as the organisational structure, can have a substantial impact on your relation to openness and sharing. If you work in a culture where openness and/or sharing is not that common, chances (risks!) are that you will not even be familiar with the possibilities. Even if openness and sharing is a priority to you, the infrastructure within an organisation can, knowingly or not, hamper the possibility to share things easily inside or outside of the organisation.
I also think that quite a common reason for people feeling reluctant to share, even within a sharing culture with the most supportive of infrastructures, is the impostor syndrome. It can be easy to blurt out things in a conversation, or even a lecture, but to share something that stays out there for everyone to see, forever? Scary! Best that I push that publish button and leave.
Bye for now!
/Kajsa
