Training Course on Developing and Advocating for Open Education and Open Access Policies

Training Course on Developing and Advocating for Open Education and Open Access Policies

Introduction

Training Course on Developing and Advocating for Open Education and Open Access Policies is designed to empower individuals and institutions to become effective champions for Open Education (OE) and Open Access (OA). In an era demanding equitable access to knowledge and resources, understanding the principles, benefits, and implementation strategies of OE and OA policies is paramount. This course provides a robust foundation in the open movement, exploring its historical context, diverse models, and significant impact on teaching, learning, research, and societal progress. Participants will gain practical skills in developing, advocating for, and implementing sustainable open policies within their own contexts, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and educational equity.

Through engaging modules and real-world case studies, this training equips participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of the open landscape. You will learn how to articulate the value proposition of open educational resources (OER) and open access publishing, address potential challenges, and build effective advocacy strategies to promote the adoption of transformative open practices. By the end of this course, you will be equipped to contribute meaningfully to the global movement towards a more open and accessible future for education and research, driving innovation and maximizing the impact of knowledge through collaborative learning and policy development.

Course Duration

5 days

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this training course, participants will be able to:

1. Clearly articulate the core concepts, principles, and various definitions of Open Education (OE) and Open Access (OA).
2. Identify and explain the diverse advantages of adopting open educational resources (OER) and open access publishing for individuals, institutions, and society.
3. Differentiate between various Creative Commons licenses and understand their implications for the use, adaptation, and sharing of open content.
4. Describe different models of open access publishing, including gold, green, and hybrid approaches, and understand their associated costs and benefits.
5. Learn the key elements and considerations involved in drafting and implementing effective institutional OA policies for research outputs.
6. Acquire practical skills in finding, evaluating, adapting, and creating high-quality open educational resources (OER).
7. Develop effective strategies for advocating for the adoption of open policies at various levels, including institutional, regional, and national.
8. Identify and analyze common challenges and concerns associated with open practices and develop strategies for addressing them.
9. Analyze how Open Education and Open Access can contribute to greater equity, accessibility, and inclusion in education and research.
10. Understand how open science and open data initiatives can accelerate research, foster collaboration, and drive innovation.
11. Learn about various models for ensuring the long-term sustainability of open education projects and open access repositories.
12. Understand the key players, initiatives, and trends shaping the global open movement in education and research.
13. Apply the principles and strategies of openness to various educational and research settings, considering different disciplinary and cultural contexts.

Organizational Benefits of Implementing Open Education and Open Access Policies

• Increased reach and impact of research and educational outputs can enhance the institution's global standing.
• Providing wider access to resources promotes inclusivity and supports learners and researchers regardless of their location or financial constraints.
• Open practices foster collaboration among educators and researchers, leading to the development of innovative pedagogical approaches and research breakthroughs.
• Utilizing Open Educational Resources can reduce the financial burden on students and institutions associated with traditional textbooks and learning materials.
• Open Access publishing ensures wider dissemination and citation of research findings, maximizing their impact.
• A commitment to openness can attract mission-aligned faculty, staff, and students who value collaboration and accessibility.
• Open repositories and platforms can improve the management and sharing of educational and research materials.
• Many funding agencies and international organizations increasingly favor and support open initiatives.

Target Audience

1. Educators (K-12, Higher Education, Vocational Training)
2. Librarians and Information Professionals
3. Researchers and Research Administrators
4. Policymakers and Government Officials
5. Instructional Designers and Curriculum Developers
6. Students and Learners
7. Non-profit Organizations and Advocacy Groups
8. Anyone interested in promoting equitable access to knowledge

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Open Education and Open Access

• Defining Open Education: History, principles, and core tenets.
• Understanding Open Access: Different models and their evolution.
• The Spectrum of Openness: Exploring various degrees of open practices.
• Benefits and Challenges of Open Education and Open Access.
• Case Study: The Open University's impact on widening access to education.

Module 2: Open Licensing and Intellectual Property

• Introduction to Copyright and its limitations in education.
• Deep dive into Creative Commons licenses: Understanding the different types.
• Applying and attributing Creative Commons licenses correctly.
• Open licensing for software, data, and other resources.
• Case Study: MIT OpenCourseware and its open licensing strategy.

Module 3: Finding, Evaluating, and Adapting Open Educational Resources (OER)

• Strategies for discovering high-quality OER repositories and search tools.
• Evaluating the quality and relevance of OER for specific contexts.
• Best practices for adapting and remixing OER effectively.
• Accessibility considerations in OER design and adaptation.
• Case Study: MERLOT and its peer-review process for OER.

Module 4: Open Access Publishing and Scholarly Communication

• Exploring different pathways to Open Access: Gold, Green, and Hybrid.
• Understanding the role of institutional repositories and preprint servers.
• Navigating copyright and author rights in Open Access publishing.
• Evaluating the quality and impact of Open Access journals.
• Case Study: The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and its role in discoverability.

Module 5: Developing and Implementing Open Access Policies

• Key elements of effective institutional Open Access policies.
• Stakeholder engagement and consultation in policy development.
• Strategies for communicating and implementing OA policies.
• Monitoring and evaluating the impact of OA policies.
• Case Study: Harvard University's Open Access policies and their impact.

Module 6: Advocating for Open Education and Open Access

• Identifying key stakeholders and tailoring advocacy messages.
• Developing effective communication and outreach strategies.
• Building coalitions and networks to support open initiatives.
• Addressing common misconceptions and counterarguments.
• Case Study: SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition) and its advocacy efforts.

Module 7: Open Science and Open Data

• Principles and practices of Open Science and their benefits.
• Understanding the FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).
• Developing data management plans for open data sharing.
• Ethical considerations in Open Science and Open Data.
• Case Study: The Human Genome Project and its open data sharing practices.

Module 8: Sustainability and the Future of Openness

• Exploring different models for the long-term sustainability of open initiatives.
• The role of funding agencies and philanthropic organizations in supporting openness.
• Emerging trends and future directions in Open Education and Open Access.
• Measuring the impact and effectiveness of open practices.
• Case Study: The Wikimedia Foundation's sustainability model.

Training Methodology

This course will employ a blended learning approach, incorporating:

• Interactive lectures and presentations
• Group discussions and collaborative activities
• Practical exercises and assignments
• Case study analysis
• Guest speaker sessions (where feasible)
• Online resources and forums for continued engagement

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.