Keynote address at 2012 New Zealand National Conference on Learning and Teaching

1. The OER university (#OERu)
Kiwi ingenuity favours
pragmatism above pretence
Wayne Mackintosh
Commonwealth of Learning
Chair in OER
Anthony Mackintosh

2. Kiwi open education pioneers
OER Asia
“The dichotomy between management and leadership, namely doing
things right versus doing the right thing.”
“Today we are making history”
Phil Ker, CEO, Otago Polytechnic
OERu inaugural meeting
23 February 2011, Dunedin

3. A return to tradition?
WE MUST BE FREE
Share, Remix, Reuse
“Legitimate plagiarism? ” WE MUST BE OPEN
Woodleywonderworks, http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/1291468732/

4. We don't need no education?
In the open source world,
we have a few of “rock stars”
In open education, is seems
everyone wants to be a rock star
Sharing to LEARN | Learning to SHARE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pink_floyd_live_8_london.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Opensource.svg Tradmark of opensource.org
4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Heckert_GNU_white.svg GNU logo used under FSF permissions

5. The OER Foundation
The Open Education Resource (OER) Foundation
is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that
provides leadership, networking and support for
educators and educational institutions to achieve
their objectives through Open Education.
“OER is a
sustainable and
renewable
resource”
OERs are materials used to support education that may be
freely accessed, reused, modified and shared by anyone.
Stephen Downes 2011

6. WikiEducator
We're turning
the digital divide
into digital
dividends using
free content
and open
networks. We
hope you can
help us.
Inaugural recipient of the
Voted best educational award for Exemplary Open
wiki, Steven Downes, Education Resource
Dec 2007 (OER) practices

8. OER is a renewable & sustainable resource
How do we achieve sustainable OER
projects?
Jason Scragz http://www.flickr.com/photos/scragz/132300147/
James Woolley http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtrato/6159728957

9. OER Funding models for projects
Endowment model
Donations model
Conversion model Stephen Downes
Membership model
Sponsorship model
Governmental model
OER as add­on | OER as core business
OER as project | OER as ecosystem
Terry Brown http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stephen_Downes_2009_cropped.jpg
DaveBleasdale http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidelong/3465884519/in/photostream/
Luis Argerich http://www.flickr.com/photos/lrargerich/3029485203
James Cridland http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamescridland/2272701122

10. OER is a renewable & sustainable resource
How do we achieve sustainable OER
projects?
How will your institution remain sustainable
without OER?
Jason Scragz http://www.flickr.com/photos/scragz/132300147/
James Woolley http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtrato/6159728957

11. Doing the OERu numbers
Cost of a 4-year degree
(Excluding text book and living costs)
OERu (USQ) Otago USA
(OERu using Polytechnic (Median Tuition
course- based (Tuition cost) cost 4-year
portfolio) public
university)
BA (Hons) US$6,759 US$19,452 US$26,312
(Note: USA figures based on Delta Cost Project for 2008)
“ As a founding anchor partner in the OERu, USQ is
proud to give students worldwide, the ability to
access university level courses and where cost has
been removed as a barrier to learning.”
Jan Thomas, Vice-Chancellor USQ
DaveBleasdale http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidelong/3465884519/in/photostream/
Luis Argerich http://www.flickr.com/photos/lrargerich/3029485203
James Cridland http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamescridland/2272701122

12. Smart philanthropy
Giving is receiving
Parallel learning universe|New business
Luis Argerich http://www.flickr.com/photos/lrargerich/3029485203
James Cridland http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamescridland/2272701122
James Cridland http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamescridland/2272701122
Asenat29 http://www.flickr.com/photos/72153088@N08/6510934443/

13. Bootstrapping OERu for future sustainability
Design an ecosystem for
mainstreaming OER
Compelling vision aligned with core university
valuessource everything
Open
Generate competitive advantage for network
partners the network effect
Leverage
Smart solutions for scalability – ie no new staff needed
for growth
Minimise risk – recurrent cost for OERu partners is
guaranteed
Don't innovate on too many fronts
13
Wayne Mackintosh, personal image

14. Reasons for joining the OERu

15. Strike the right balance
OPEN SUSTAINABLE
education = education
Quality
OER + OEP =
Cost Access
Pink Sherbet Photography: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/233228813/
Fdecomite: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fdecomite/2361500377/in/photostream/

16. Tragedy of the commons?
Shoulders of giants …
“They hang the man and flog the woman
Who steals the goose from off the common
But leave the greater villain loose
Who steals the common from off the goose.”
Anonymous protest poem 1764 or 1821.
Eben Moglen
Isaac Newton
Luis Steothis
Bernard Shouters
- Robert Merton
•
Anonymous note
Will the academy remain thirsty on the village green ?
Richard Taylor http://www.flickr.com/photos/34094515@N00/374081831/
Elliot Brown http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/with/4328818484/

17. Sharing knowledge freely
2008 Bourewa excavations
Directed by Prof Patrick Nunn
P. Nunn

18. Disruptive innovation?
The fundamentals
stay the same … just WE MUST BE FREE
the way we do WE MUST BE OPEN
business changes.”
June 22, 2009, Kodak
announced Kodachrome
would no longer be
manufactured.
Findicons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Camera_Icon.png
Kungfuman http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kodachrome_200.jpg

19. Innovation & new technology
Ice harvesting
Once the largest industry in America
In 1850 – invention of “artificial” ice makers
(Reusable) digital learning resources
Ice harvesting or new innovation?
ElementaryTechTeacher, http://www.flickr.com/photos/7855946@N08/3264547221/

20. Red Open Education herrings
RED HERRING
“rhetorical tactic
of diverting
attention away from
an item of
The sky is falling significance”
Wikipedia
Poor quality
(a.k.a poor quality
materials are embarrassing)
Andrew Gray http://www.flickr.com/photos/shimgray/2237055822/
Laurel Russwurm http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelrusswurm/4132122784/#/ Slide 10

21. What do educators say about OER quality?
I'm reluctant to use teaching materials and creative
works generated by other authors because there is no
guarantee of the quality of the materials
90
80
78%
70
60
50 Agree
40 Disagree
30
22%
20
10 N = 758
0
Percentage

22. OERu
A model reincarnated?
University of London
External System
OPEN
web IP
OPEN
Today the original “examination-only” concept
suddenly looks very modern – Sir John Daniel
Captain-tucker
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Danaus_plexippus_emerging_from_chrysalis_01.jpg
Derek Ramsey: WMF Commons: File:Monarch_Butterfly_Danaus_plexippus_Pupation_2419px.jpg
Derek Ramsey: WMF Commons: File:Monarch_Butterfly_Danaus_plexippus_Pupation_2419px.jpg
Armon: WMF Commons File:Monarch_Butterfly_Chrysalis.JPG

23. The OER university concept
Free learning
opportunities for
all students
Adapted from Taylor 2007 worldwide

24. The BIG & small context
Unsatisfied demand
OER cost behaviours
Growing OER base
Free-tuition courses
Existing protocols
(e.g. APL)
Jimmy Flink http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmyroq/146827389/
juicyverve http://www.flickr.com/photos/juicyverve/2531105062/
bucklava http://www.flickr.com/photos/9229859@N02/2762432629/
Francisca Uloa http://www.flickr.com/photos/alosojos/346887379/

25. Unsatisfied demand for HE
100 million additional places
By 2025
Slide 10
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamescridland/613445810/sizes/m/in/photostream/

26. Slide 16

27. Cost levers for OERu
Marginal
Cost
=
ZERO
Collaborative development
=
Cheaper the going it alone
Luis Argerich http://www.flickr.com/photos/lrargerich/3029485203
James Cridland http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamescridland/2272701122

28. So what have we got? ...
INPUTS for the OERu logic model:
OpenCourseWare
Open Access Journals
OER and OEP
Open Distance Learning experience
Open protocols for APL
Melissa Sanders http://www.flickr.com/photos/themissiah/3491328675/
Ricky http://www.flickr.com/photos/8656572@N04/4855311898/

29. The OER university concept
Free learning
opportunities for
all students
Adapted from Taylor 2007 worldwide

30. OERu – Logic model & plan for action
23 Feb 2011
http://wikieducator.org/OERu +200 participants
+46 Countries

31. The OERu logic model

32. OERu 2011.11 meeting of anchor partners
160 people from
41 countries
OERu anchor partner decisions
Bachelor of general studies
Prototype courses during 2012
Formal launch of the OERu 2013
Slide 16

33. The view from an OERu partner
Traditional model OERu model

34. Open planning for open education futures
Remote Tweets: @dendroglyph
The cast of players at OERu
meeting gives this event and its
outcomes instant credibility
I can feel the buzz in the room in
Dunedin, NZ. Let the Genie out of
the bottle!
Public domain and free content images sourced from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

35. Rules of the OERu game ...
OERTen partners agree ...
Credential OER learners (cost recovery)
Assemble minimum of 2 OER-based courses (for agreed credential)
Course credit transfer among OERu partners (for agreed credential)
Gold or silver member of the OER Foundation
Dawn Huczek: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31064702@N05/4697850589/in/photostream/

36. Mechanics of OERu operations ...
OERu does not confer degrees (anchor partners do)
OERu anchor partners retain decision-making autonomy, eg:
- Price for assessment and credential services
- Local matriculation requirements
- Courses and credentials provided under OERu network
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) protocols provide
precedent for recognising OER learning, however:
- Existing RPL systems are expensive
- Don't scale well.
Dawn Huczek: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31064702@N05/4697850589/in/photostream/

37. Technology requirements to set learning free
Open planning and development
Collaborative development environment
Support multiple delivery platforms (LMSs CMSs)
Scalability
Detailed version control
Major Nelson: http://flickr.com/photos/majornelson/134012349/ Slide 19

38. Open planning and implementation

39. OERu course materials in WikiEducator

40. Online and print-based delivery
Blogs LMS

41. OERu learning environment

42. Peer learning support
Ask OERu

43. Calibrating sustainable innovation …
Next steps …
No new money required
Recurrent cost recouped
OERu is low cost, low risk
But high IMPACT innovation
Dongio: Watercolour painter dedicated to the public domain
Slide 20
Hugiene Matters http://www.flickr.com/photos/hygienematters/4273036775/

44. Free learning for all students worldwide
“This is not theoretical speculation,
it is entirely viable.” Jim Taylor AM
You are free to join us ...
Paul (Dex) http://www.flickr.com/photos/dexxus/3146028811/
Compilation: Chad Miller, James Almond, Wayne Mackintosh
See: http://wikieducator.org/File:OER-University-concept.png