Why Open Education Matters from Blink Tower on Vimeo.
What a simple idea it is to share information and tools for learning. Why has this concept taken so long to set in motion? Within brick and mortar schools teachers share and collaborate in person, why not do the same within online learning communities and spread our knowledge and teaching tools around the world? Education doesn't evolve and help others unless it is shared. Keeping it reserved for those that have more money and access to it does not help the greater good. Education is supposed to be for all, and I don't feel that at this time that it is for all. Many schools in our province alone are struggling with the lack of up to date technology, I can only imagine those schools that have it worse than us. However, if we can’t share resources to purchase the technology tools that every school deserves, we can at least share knowledge and teaching/learning tools so that there is a less of a educational divide among students. Open Education means that no matter where one lives, with a computer and Internet connection they too can have access to these free educational resources.
With Open Education more students will have access to current information and the opportunity to further their education. Those that normally could not afford a traditional education will now have access to gain the training in their desired field. This global movement will make education available to all, whereas it was once not.
Teachers that were unaware of their out of date teaching tools, styles and information will now be able to stay current and share that information with their students in a way that works best for their student’s learning styles and needs. The ability to adapt resources from the Open Educational Resources will mean students will learn in a way that best suites their learning needs. It will also foster collaboration and participation among educators to make the available resources as rich and effective as they can be. There should be no reason why teachers or students are left out of the ever-changing educational loop. There is now a way to stay connected and current so students have the best opportunities available to them for their education.
Resources
EDUCAUSE. "7 Things You Should Know about Open Educational Resources". June 2010. Retrieved from the World Wide
Web on April 28, 2013 http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELi7061.pdf.
VIDEO Courtesy of the winner of the US Department of Education's "Why Open Education Matters" contest.