Wellcome puts trust in expanded open access
Open Learning Pioneer Heads West
OER Project - Call for Participation
The Workshop aims to obtain feedback on and improve the IAU project, and work on possible ways forward for its implementation from an African perspective.
It will take place in Accra, Ghana from 12 to 13 September 2013 and is being organised in collaboration with the Association of African Universities (AAU). The working language will be English. The Workshop has obtained financial support from the UNESCO Participatory Fund.
To find out more about the Workshop and the Project read the Call for Participation and return a completed application form.
Deadline for applications: 10 June 2013
Contact: Amanda Sudic or Isabelle Turmaine.
Ancient History Encyclopedia
Ancient History Encyclopedia is a non-profit educational website founded in 2009 aiming to provide the best ancient history information on the internet for free. Website.
With in-depth definitions, high-resolution illustrations, a broad range of articles, searchable timelines, interactive maps and a continually updated catalogue of books, the Ancient History Encyclopedia envisions itself as a guardian and supplier of exceptional resources, enhancing the public's knowledge of the ancient world.
All content materials on this Open Education Resource are reviewed for quality assurance before publication. A group of expert volunteers, many of whom are experts in their respective fields or pursuing advanced studies, peer-review the content of the website to ensure quality.
Guide to design a Master's Final
The 43-page free document (only available in Spanish) is eminently practical and is based on the results of the research project DAC x TFM. The guide aims to help university teachers in the key steps leading to the design of a TFM, taking into account both the basic elements and the implementation possibilities of the project. Download the Guide.
Stanford University collaborates with edX to develop a free, open source online learning platform
Stanford University will collaborate with edX, the nonprofit online learning enterprise founded by Harvard and MIT, to advance the development of edX's open source learning platform and continue to provide free and open online learning tools for institutions around the world.
By June 1, edX will release the source code for its entire online learning platform. In support of that move, Stanford will integrate features of its existing Class2Go open source online learning platform into the edX platform, use the integration as a platform for online coursework for on-campus and distance learners, and work collaboratively with edX and other institutions to further develop the open source platform. Read more...
The Open Practice Unit at the University of the Arts London
The Open Educational Practice (OEP) Unit at the University of the Arts London (UAL) was launched in 2012 and aims to explore definitions of what Open Education might mean and the implications of moving towards open online social spaces for learning. See the Website.
Further aims of the OEP are to explore existing and create new OERs that stem from participants’ own teaching practice and may include learning content and software tools that can be freely and openly shared on the web using a Creative Commons Licence.
The ultimate aim of this project is to develop a new 10 credit Open Academic Practice Unit in UAL’s Continuing Professional Development Framework (CPDF).
Free book on Open Educational Resources
A short description of what you can expect by words of the editors of the book: The development and exchange of OER continues to be a technologically intensive process. Technological considerations in OER are not limited to authoring or remixing tools. Collaborative production of OER requires welldesigned and robust online spaces and infrastructure (Wikiwijs) and repositories. The latter can also be used to combine OER to create lesson plans online (Open Science Education Resources in Europe). Unless OER are consistently and adequately described, they cannot easily be located in online searches. The chapter on GLOBE considers these challenges and offers solutions. COL’s earlier publications on OER offered insights and advice on good institutional practices, business models and policy matters. Read more...
Administrators and Faculty Split on Online Learning’s Value
That said, there is a divergence between higher ed administrators and faculty on the value of online learning. Seventy-seven percent of academic leaders surveyed believe online education results in the same or superior learning outcomes as in face-to-face classes.
However, only 30.2 percent of chief academic officers think their faculty accept online learning as valuable and legitimate. This figure has decreased from the recorded statistic in 2004. With 69.1 percent of chief academic leaders saying online education is a key part of their long-term strategy, faculty must learn to embrace it. Read more...