Definition of Open Education EU
The European Commission’s definition of open education is:
“a way of carrying out education, often using digital technologies. Its aim is to widen access and participation to everyone by removing barriers and making learning accessible, abundant, and customisable for all. It offers multiple ways of teaching and learning, building and sharing knowledge. It also provides a variety of access routes to formal and non-formal education, and connects” (Opening up Education: A Support Framework for Higher Education Institutions, 2016).
The foundation of Open Education is Open Educational Resources (OER), which are teaching, learning, and research resources that are free of cost and access barriers, and which also carry legal permission for open use. Generally, this permission is granted by use of an open license (for example, Creative Commons licenses) which allows anyone to freely use, adapt and share the resource—anytime, anywhere. “Open” permissions are typically defined in terms of the “5R’s”: users are free to Retain, Reuse, Revise, Remix and Redistribute these educational materials.
Open Education – General information
Education. Open Source Solutions
The EU OpenEdu Framework
Open Education and UNDP’s Digital Public Goods
Many types of digital technologies and content – from data to apps, data visualisation tools to educational curricula – could accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. When they are freely and openly available, with minimal restrictions on how they can be distributed, adapted and reused, we can think of them as “digital public goods”. In economics, a “public good” is something which anyone can use without charge and without preventing others from using it. Digital content and technologies lend themselves to being public goods in this respect.”
Report of the UN Secretary General’s High Level Panel on Digital Cooperation. This guidance necessitates that software, content and data must be possible to use independently of any particular vendor to be considered as digital public goods.
Open licensing is a necessary, albeit not always sufficient, precondition for ensuring this. The minimum criteria for digital public goods also include other aspects, such as interoperability.
Digital infrastructures for education: Openness and the common good
The field of Open Education, notably through open solutions, can provide useful principles and mechanisms to guide the development of alternative technical infrastructures in education. Recent frameworks including Digital Public Goods and Digital Public Infrastructures are increasingly part of the strategic governmental discussions, but still do not unequivocally address the unique challenges of the education sector and emphasize the stewardship of government. Concrete examples exist of educational platforms and services that are wholly or partially public, or are at least diligently vetted by state actors. These include the public values-oriented programmes at SURF in the Netherlands, and the Sciebo initiative in Germany.
Open Education and EU Digital Commons
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What are digital commons?
Digital common goods are characterised by shared ownership, in addition to a specific management and maintenance structure. Examples include open-source software and hardware, open data, open educational resources, and open standards. Digital commons are open, transparent, and collectively developed, providing an alternative to existing non-value-driven providers.
The Netherlands, France, Estonia, and Germany recently announced their intention to establish a new European initiative known as the European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC) focused on digital common goods, also referred to as digital commons. This consortium aims to develop, maintain, and expand digital commons in Europe. -
Why is this important?
By collaborating on digital commons, European countries can strengthen their digital sovereignty and shape the digital world in a way that aligns with European values such as privacy, transparency, and equality. The Netherlands, France, Estonia, and Germany are joining forces to support and promote this crucial initiative.
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What will the EDIC for Digital Commons do?
The consortium aims to coordinate existing initiatives and provide support to the European community. This includes technical assistance, legal aid, and fundraising support for projects. One of the key activities is establishing a central hub (both a physical location and an online platform) where projects can seek assistance.
