This discussion (with Group 4) made me reflect on how openness in teaching can feel both inspiring and uncomfortable at the same time. I understand the idea behind sharing educational materials openly, especially because open access can make education more equal and accessible for students who otherwise may not have access to resources. At the same time, I also understand the fear of sharing materials that are not ‘perfect’ or the worry that others may change them in ways that do not reflect the original intention.
One important thing I learned is that openness does not have to happen all at once. It is possible to start small by sharing a lecture, an activity, or selected course material instead of an entire course. That made the idea feel more realistic and less overwhelming.
I also found it interesting to discuss how academic work is always developing. Just like research articles, teaching materials can improve through feedback and collaboration. Using Creative Commons licences can also help maintain some control while still allowing sharing and reuse.
The examples shared during the discussion showed me that open educational resources are not only about technology or publishing. They are also about giving more people the opportunity to learn. Overall, this discussion helped me see openness as something flexible and meaningful rather than something risky or impossible.
For this topic, the group agreed to use canva to summarise our discussions on openness in teaching and below you can find the link to the poster we made as group.
