Open Source Learning

Anna Taylor

CA

Troutner, Joanne, (2011). Open source learning. Teacher Librarian, 38(4), 48-50. Retrieved http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk//launch.aspx?eid=642c1289-bd2b-4778-946a-e2233627efca

What is “open curriculum”? Troutner’s article explains that this innovative way of teaching is basically “a curriculum based on open educational resources”. With this teaching structure, both the student and teacher roles change. Students are now more in charge of their learning. Just as in this class, (LIBR 250), students are encouraged to find information that they want to learn. This forces students to be more involved with their learning while also creating more responsibility for them. The role of the teacher changes because they are now a “gatherer” of information rather than a giver. Just as students become more informed on their subject, so much the teacher. Both teacher and student are learning together with the teacher as a guider. 

If you are interested in learning more about open source learning, Troutner gives some great open educational resources to explore with your students. Most of these sites are free while others are very affordable:

• Khan Academy- Over 1,800 free videos on math, science, social studies, etc. 
• WatchKnow.org- Over 22,000 free and educational panel approved video clips in over 3,000 categories
• Open Culture- Find textbooks, ebooks, films, online courses, audio books, and language classes.
• MIT OpenCourseWare- Free online course for college students are explored through notes, exams, videos and even complete courses.
• iTunesU- Find recordings and videos of college course and  K-12 lessons from all over the world.
• JFK Library- Find audio speeches, digital images, speech texts, etc for social studies. 
• Wikispaces- Search for other classroom’s open source curriculum for ideas of your own.
• Take 2 Videos- For $75, students are able to create their own documentary with the help of National Geographic 

All in all, I believe open source learning is a great idea. While it may not be for all students or teachers, it is a process that should be encouraged for all classrooms. Those who may be skeptical could take one unit and test it out to see the outcome. The article also suggests to discuss your learning progress among other staff members at lunch and faculty meetings. With multiple classrooms using this way of teaching, the entire school can becomes involved with one another’s learning.