Open Education

Understanding Open Education

Open education is about open access to educational opportunities, the practice of open learning and engagement with open scholarship.

  • Open access to learning is about inclusive and equal access to educational opportunities without barriers such as lack of prior knowledge and entry qualifications, or ability to pay. This means not just equal, but equitable access from a position of disadvantage.
  • Open learning is about the ability to study and learn at anytime, anywhere and at any pace, as well as anyhow irrespective of one’s physical location or condition.
  • Open scholarship involves engagement with a culture of sharing which incorporates the release of educational resources under an open license scheme that permits no-cost access, and permissions to adopt, adapt, retain and redistribute such resources with appropriate restrictions.

Where to Start?

The following resources provide a good starting point for understanding open education: