Re: [WikiEducator] The cornerstone of the OER university - Credible qualifications

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 05:44:00 -0800

Hi Leo and everyone:  I too am not sure where and when to hook into this conversation.  I am probably literally a day late because I am in the US and I believe it is now February 17 in NZ...

At any rate in answer to Leo's question about the win-win for the OER University and other institutions, Empire State College of the State University of New York where I have worked for a total of twelve years, has always offered students the opportunity to apply for Prior Learning Assessment and receive up to 96 credits for self-directed learning, learning from other institutions, or pre-evaluated learning from places like the US military...OER is ideal for enabling students to do college level self-directed learning that could then be turned into college credit.   The win for Empire State is that degree seeking students must then complete at least 32 credits with us.  The win for the students is obvious...a well-recognized, fully accredited degree from the State University of New York.  SUNY/Empire State College is celebrating its 40th year.   This is a model that works and would work even better if intentionally linked to the OER University.   It is also a model that could be replicated by college's like yours around the world.   Dr. Joyce S. McKnight, Tenured Assistant Professor, SUNY/Empire State College.

[email protected] wrote: -----
To: [email protected]
From: Wayne Mackintosh
Sent by: [email protected]
Date: 02/16/2011 03:33AM
Subject: Re: [WikiEducator] The cornerstone of the OER university - Credible qualifications

Hi Leo,

Informal learners are free to learn from OER hosted on the open web. The problem is that these learners who wish to obtain formal qualifications are unable to do so. The purpose of the "OER university" concept is to provide pathways for formal academic credit for both "informal" and "formal" students to obtain credible qualifications.

I agree -- all learners should have the opportunity to gain credible degrees. The point I was making is that the "OER university" concept places a high priority on the quality of learning and that an credential obtained through OER learning materials must be of equal standing as a degree obtained through traditional university enrolment.

You institution is free to provide degrees using OER materials and I hope they will do this in the future.  The win situation is that through collaboration among institutions in the formal sector, we can become more effective by saving costs in the development of high quality learning materials.

Still lots of work and thinking to be done about the OER university concept and this is the kind of reflection and critical questioning needed to achieve success.

Cheers
Wayne

On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 7:31 PM, Wong Leo <[email protected]> wrote:
so my understanding would be OER university will not mainly focus on informal learner , but rather on convince real university to join the efforts ? it will surely be good for the any free learner .it is even better if they could get the actual credit .

i am sorry if i missed anything new on scope premeeting , i am at china , the live meeting is always on the time when i am sleeping . where is the recording if there is ?

however i am more intersted in finding out is there any thing new or really "niche " for this concept , suppose my college is willing to offer OER degree to future students , what is the clear win-win situation now ?

leo

2011/2/16 Wayne Mackintosh <[email protected]>
Hi Everyone,

Apology for double posting if you're watching or participating in the SCoPE pre-meeting seminar for the OER university -- but I think this is important in defining our "niche" contribution to evolving OER ecosystems.

One of the SCoPE seminar participants posted a number of very pertinent questions. My response may be of wider interest. If not -- delete now :-).

Cheers
Wayne


On the OER university page there are two graphics we're using to help structure our thinking -- I'm sure these will change and improve as we move forward, especially after input from the SCoPE seminar and the meeting itself.

However I should clearly communicate that the anchor partners (i.e. Athabasca University, the University of Southern Queensland, Otago Polytechnic, BCcampus and the OER Foundation) working on the "OER university concept" see quality assurance and institutional accreditation as the cornerstone or foundation of the project. OER learners must be able to attain credible qualifications which are trusted and respected.

I should also point out that any formal education institution, who cares about the educational value of sharing knowledge, who wants to join the "OER university" concept is free to do so - -we're not a closed shop.

A closing comment -- there are exemplary projects working in the sphere of peer-based open and networked learning on the net, for example the P2PU project. The "OER university" concept does not discount or intend to compete with the value of informal networked learning or the DIY University. I think we need to think about the OER landscape as an evolving ecosystem. The "OER university" does not want to replicate the amazing work being done internationaly to support informal learners - rather, we want to see how the formal education sector can add value to realising free learning for all students worldwide.


--
Wayne Mackintosh, Ph.D.
Director OER Foundation
Director, International Centre for Open Education,
Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand.
Founder and elected Community Council Member, Wikieducator
Mobile +64 21 2436 380
Skype: WGMNZ1
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Leo Wong
ISSD GEM International
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--
Wayne Mackintosh, Ph.D.
Director OER Foundation
Director, International Centre for Open Education,
Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand.
Founder and elected Community Council Member, Wikieducator
Mobile +64 21 2436 380
Skype: WGMNZ1
Twitter | identi.ca

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