In the last module, we explored open educational resources and the value of making learning materials available to all students. Eliminating the barrier of cost is a tangible way to support student success, but we know that in approaching learning from an anti-racist perspective, access simply is not enough. We must thoughtfully consider what material is presented to students, amplify the voices and perspectives most often left out of learning materials, and ensure students are reflected.

In this module we will explore how we can apply the open concept to more than just our textbooks and learning materials, and how open enables us to shift our approach to teaching and learning.

Open Pedagogy

Open pedagogy applies the 5 Rs of OER (free to reuse, revise, remix, redistribute, and retain) to support effective teaching and learning. This can be accomplished by the doing away with disposable assignments and through the use of meaningful assignments where students add value to the world through their work.

What are disposable assignments, anyway?

Disposable assignments are those assignments students work very hard preparing, you work hard grading, and then, that’s it. After all that effort, we hope students have retained what they learned, and we simply move forward.

We can leverage these assignments to become pieces which contribute to more learning in the world in the form of openly licensed materials. That way, students’ learning supports further learning, and students become active contributors in your field.

Please read this resource which further explains Non-Disposable vs. Disposable assignments, prepared by Aloha Sargent. Then, watch Rajiv Jhangiani describe open pedagogy. This clip is a part of a longer keynote that Jhangiani gave at the University of Waterloo.

Open Educational Practices by Dr. Rajiv Jhangiana from Centre for Teaching Excellence provided under CC-BY

Open pedagogy opens the door to creativity

The exciting thing about open pedagogy is there’s no single way to apply these principles! On the next page, we will explore some examples of how to apply open pedagogy to your classroom.