Topic 2: Open Learning & Sharing


I wanted to unpack what ‘open learning and sharing’ means. Is openness always a virtue? The more open, the better? A member of my PBL group seems to think so. I wasn’t sure about this. At the personal level, I learn a lot of things without the need to share with anyone; in fact, people may not appreciate it when I share! At the ‘intimate’ level, there is information shared with family and very, very close friends which should not pervade further. Then, at boards and committees, there is a fiduciary requirement for information and knowledge shared to be kept confidential. At the local level, for e.g. in the university,  using Canvas or other LMS, information and knowledge sharing is kept within the community. Are the preceding scenarios considered ‘ open’? The ultimate is open learning and sharing at the global level – the original intent of MOOCs, Wikipedia. I think that there is a continuum of ‘openness’. More open is not necessarily better or worse –  there is a right time and place for each level of openness.


3 responses to “Topic 2: Open Learning & Sharing”

  1. Hi Helen,

    I like your approach of questioning open sharing and putting it in the context of different levels. And I understand that in our PBL group you had the feeling that we all find open sharing great and encourage it. To be honest, I also feel a bit like you, I also question this concept, because in my eyes it simply brings with it many uncertainties and dangers. Sometimes I feel that I also have to behave open to OER simply because mythe university of applied sciences where I work promotes it and I am in contact with the people who work for this field. And because I am also taking this OLN course, I think should be completely open to OER…. But does my environment really expect that from me, or do they think perhaps like we do?

    Best wishes,
    Florentina

  2. Petra says:

    Hello,
    I completely share your view. Openness is a continuum and one needs to think carefully what and with whom to share. The picture have drawn shows makes this visible in a very insightful way – thanks.

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