In this second topic we were to discuss the pros and cons concerning openness in education and learning. We have discussed the usual conceptions of openness and access as well as discussing how this phenomenon may differ from the perspectives of the educator and the learner; open educational resources (OERs), and the consequent development of open educational practices (OEPs); issues around copyright and in particular the open licensing of content (Creative Commons) and how this opens up new opportunities for collaborative learning and development and finally open online course (MOOC) phenomenon and; the different models of MOOCs and how this affects higher education (https://www.opennetworkedlearning.se/onl202-topic-2-open-learning-sharing-and-openness/).
In my PBL-group (no 11) our discussions have been both high and wide. So many questions has risen but not many answers. As usual. Apart from our meetings my mind has been working with this topic and in this blog I would like to share some of my thoughts.
To begin, I want to discuss the pros:
First of all I believe that open learning is a question of empowerment and democracy! Open learning reaches out to all people around the world. But there are some obstacles concerning accessibility such as language, access to a computer, access to Internet and in some cases economy. This highlights in the talk between Mr. Creelman and Mrs Ragupathi in “What is open education?” (https://blog.nus.edu.sg/openeducation/video/). Therefore, I believe that it is important that open network courses are distributed in different languages, so that they are assessable to as many people as possible.
Technology has expanded over the boarders and today a numerous of people might not have their own computer but probably a mobile device. I believe that it is important for the government locally to give the citizens access to computers, e.g. at libraries. That way you, as a citizen, can for example get access to open network learning classes and therefore education. In some countries though, the government control the internet and can close it down on short notice.
For me it is also e question of reaching out to people living in rural areas around the world. Online education courses is an important way of learning for those living in rural areas with no possibility, or willingness, to move into town. With online education courses they can stay home with their families but still get an education. That way, we can give high educated citizens the possibility to stay, work and live their lives in rural areas.
Online education is also a question of having the opportunity to keep on learning throughout the whole life span. It is not so easy for a person in their upper ages to just move back to a university city to attend classes for a period of time.
As I have understood, most open network classes are for free but some courses have a fee if you want to examine the course and get a grade. There are not many countries around the world that provide the people with education without charge, especially higher education. That means that if you come from a family that doesn’t have so much money, you might not be able to fulfil your dreams of a higher education and the kind of work that you would like to do. By expanding the possibilities of opened learning, higher education could be a reality for a lot of people.
Open learning is freedom and opportunities. Freedom of learning what you want to learn and the opportunity to form your own future. It is a way of getting to know people with the same interests as you and getting new networks, maybe all around the world. It is a way of sharing knowledge and sharing new information or scientific studies.
And now to the cons:
As Mr. Creelman and Mrs Ragupathi said in their lecture, “What is open education?” (https://blog.nus.edu.sg/openeducation/video/), there is a back side of opened learning too. Or maybe not the opened learning by itself, but all the dark things that surrounds open learning networks and Internet. Therefor it is very important that you, as a learner, are very “on guard” concerning what is shared. And if you share things on open network learning pages, make sure you share facts.
Another thing to be aware of is sharing pictures, drawings etc. from other sites. Make sure they are not copyright. Since the Internet has expanded so fast, and the willingness of sharing have extended, new regulations concerning using others material have been created. Now there are several ways of being able to use materials from others. New regulations have been formed and are explained by Creative Commons (ww.creativecommons.org). If I share documents, pictures and other knowledge on Internet, my fear is how other people will use my material and that it will be used in the wrong way.
The biggest con though, I believe, is economy. Who is going to pays for these courses? We, the universities or governments of the countries, have to find a way to pay the teachers/universities that form and arrange open learning courses. These courses take a lot of time to administrate, lead and teach. So, who pays for them? I believe this has to be solved so that we can expand the opened network learning.
Summery:
As a summery, I would like to address Dave Wiley in his lecture: “No sharing = No education.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb0syrgsH6M). We have to understand that education is all about sharing our knowledge. I really liked his words: “Education is nonrivalrous. They are not competitive. I can share without loosing it”. He compared it to giving light from your candle to your friends candle. Just because your friend get the fire from your candle, your candle would not stop burning.
He also said “A successful educator is an educator that share most thoroughly with most student” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb0syrgsH6M).
For me, I always try to see every student as he or she is, and try to meet their expectations of knowledge as much as I can. As a senior physio I have so much experience to share. “I had a patient that…”, is a sentence I often express. And I do believe that my experience counts for my students, even if we are in the classroom or if we meet in open learning environment. And I am happy to share it like the fire of a candle.
Knowledge is empowerment and democracy! Knowledge is power! Keep on sharing the power!
References:
Creelman, A. & Ragupathi, K. What is open education? https://blog.nus.edu.sg/openeducation/video/. Downloaded 2020-10-24.
Opened network learning, homepage. https://www.opennetworkedlearning.se/onl202-topic-2-open-learning-sharing-and-openness/ Downloaded 2020-10-24.
Wiley, D. Open education and the future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb0syrgsH6M. Downloaded 2020-10-24.
