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Rethinking OER and their Use : Open Education as Bildung

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dc.creator Markus Deimann
dc.creator Robert Farrow
dc.date 2013-07-01T00:00:00Z
dc.date.accessioned 2015-07-20T22:07:11Z
dc.date.available 2015-07-20T22:07:11Z
dc.identifier 1492-3831
dc.identifier https://doaj.org/article/f5de9049a5de4054a667dabcef3108e3
dc.identifier.uri http://evidence.thinkportal.org/handle/123456789/11022
dc.description Despite the recent increases of interest in open education, notably in massive open online courses (MOOCs) (Fini, 2009), it has been continuously asserted that this form of social knowledge production lacks a philosophical or theoretical foundation (Vandenberg, 1975). Similar accusations have been made with respect to distance education, such as being slow to engage with critical debates in theory and research (Evans & Nation, 1992). In a similar vein, Danaher, Wyer, and Bartlett (1998) claim that researchers in open and distance learning tend to draw on too narrow a range of theoretical resources in their research. Given the considerable rise of open education over recent years, these critical appraisals urge us to expand theoretical approaches and refine our understanding of evolving pedagogical and technological relations (cf. Bell, 2011). In this paper, we contribute to debates surrounding open education and open educational resources by introducing the concept of Bildung (self-cultivation, self-realization) as a powerful reflective tool and framework for approaching open education. We will elaborate on the potentials of Bildung by reviewing the history of the concept and exploring the extent to which Bildung can provide open education with a theoretical framework. Our focus is not exclusively on open educational resources (OER): We follow other commentators (Mackey & Jacobson, 2011, p. 62; cf. Weller, 2011) who argue that ‘openness’ in education necessarily shifts the focus from content (OER) to practices (OEP) that are necessary for the use of that content.We also argue that the beliefs and values associated with Bildung – including autonomy, critical reflection, inclusivity, and embracing the potential for self-development – are suitable for providing a theoretical framework for open education as well as providing a critical lens through which to assess contemporary models of education (e.g., Liessmann, 2006).
dc.language English
dc.publisher Athabasca University Press
dc.relation http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1370/2542
dc.relation https://doaj.org/toc/1492-3831
dc.rights CC BY
dc.source International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, Vol 14, Iss 3 (2013)
dc.subject Open educational resources
dc.subject open education
dc.subject educational theory
dc.subject Special aspects of education
dc.subject LC8-6691
dc.subject Education
dc.subject L
dc.subject DOAJ:Education
dc.subject DOAJ:Social Sciences
dc.subject Special aspects of education
dc.subject LC8-6691
dc.subject Education
dc.subject L
dc.subject DOAJ:Education
dc.subject DOAJ:Social Sciences
dc.subject Special aspects of education
dc.subject LC8-6691
dc.subject Education
dc.subject L
dc.subject Special aspects of education
dc.subject LC8-6691
dc.subject Education
dc.subject L
dc.subject Special aspects of education
dc.subject LC8-6691
dc.subject Education
dc.subject L
dc.title Rethinking OER and their Use : Open Education as Bildung
dc.type article


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