Throughout its 20 year history, MIT OpenCourseWare has included student contributions in its publications: from sample papers and project work, to detailed course notes, to insights about the learning process. These student contributions have enriched OCW’s representation of many MIT courses, especially those that are project-based and hands-on, complementing and extending the foundation of faculty-created material. They illustrate that aspects of open pedagogy, e.g. student agency and non-disposable assignments, have long been part of the MIT education. Now we’re exploring new and better ways to share the perspectives, voices and energy of MIT students as part of OCW’s next generation program and platform.
In this session, we’ll mix presentation, interactive polling, and open Q&A. We’ll begin with a brief scan of different forms of student contributions in OER, and their potential to substantially expand the diversity of voices reflected in open content. We’ll discuss some concerns that can arise when sharing student work --- especially in this time of growing sensitivity to one’s personal online presence around contentious topics -- and ways to manage these issues: for example, guarding the intellectual freedom of the classroom experience, protecting student privacy, and handling intellectual property. Then we’ll pivot to the future, including previewing an MIT OCW pilot program to develop more student leadership and wider student participation in our OER publication, and open discussion to connect and share practices with others doing this vital work. Finally, we’ll close with a reflection on our collective opportunity and shared responsibility to keep developing and lifting up diverse student voices, in the service of more inclusive open education.
After participating in this session, attendees will be able to:
- Understand the value of student contributions in creating a greater diversity of voices and more inclusive perspectives in OER content
- Consider the place of student content and student leadership within OER projects, and identify opportunities to strengthen it
- Evaluate issues and concerns about student OER contributions, and explore guidelines and practices that will help ensure their success
