Defining a new model and developing a user guide for open education
Status
Completed: 1 January 2009
Project Details
A project completed in 2009, undertaken by Otago Polytechnic, to investigate the potential benefits for teachers and learners of open educational practices using popular social media.
Aims:
The main aims of the project were to:
- analyse the use of social media in polytechnic courses to identify benefits, shortfalls, opportunities and development needs
- develop a wiki to assist educational organisations interested in developing open education practices using popular social media.
Methodology:
The project methodology involved:
- analysing data from initial Otago Polytechnic trials in open education to determine where opportunities for improved practices exist
- explaining a model or series of models in a user guide targeting subject areas that are considered good candidates across the sector for further trailing of the models.
Team
Leigh Blackall
Project Leader
Otago Polytechnic
Bronwyn Hegarty
Otago PolytechnicStatus
Funding
$8,710.00 (excl GST)
Key Findings
The key outcome from the project was the development of an interactive user guide, using the wikibooks platform, for educational organisations interested in developing open education practices using popular social media.
Key Recommendations
The key recommendations from the project included: providing incentives and rewards to encourage staff to use social media in their work; improving digital literacy; and creating libraries that leverage existing technology to give greater access to information and learning.
This wikibook aims to capture and share the experience of organisations and individuals embarking on open educational practices.
