Extending Into the Open

Abstract

Welcome to Extending Into the Open! This open resource is designed to extend your reach into the open. Through a set of four modules, you will explore the concepts of teaching in the open, open content, open course design and assessment, and open communities.

The design of this resource is inspired by Maureen Glynn’s “Anatomy of an Open Educator” — and the content extends on the concepts introduced in the Ontario Extend Program, a professional micro-credential learning program hosted by eCampusOntario. While the Ontario Extend Program modules are referenced throughout, it is not necessary for you to have completed this program in order to benefit from this work.

Each of the Extending Into the Open modules includes the following elements: 1. scenarios and overviews to acquaint you with the topic--2. focused topic sections exploring key concepts and skills for open education--3. Extend Activities to engage you actively in the learning--4. Extend Connections to help you consider how the learning relates to you and your practice--5. a module checklist to help you wrap up and mark your progress.

If you are familiar with open education, you will know that choice is a key element of open learning — and this open resource offers plenty of it. While it may take three to five hours to complete a full module, you have the flexibility to use this resource your way. You may use it for self-guided or facilitated learning — and you may begin your journey through this content wherever you like … be that at the very beginning, by diving right into the middle, or by hyper-focusing on just one area. However you choose to access the content in these modules, Extending Into the Open will offer you an opportunity to transform your teaching and learning visions, approaches and skills. Ready? Set? Extend!