OpenEdu (2013-2016)

OpenEdu was my first project carried out at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. I was the principal researcher and main author of the OpenEdu framework,which was developed in support of the ‘Opening Up Education Communication’ of the European Commission (2013). Several other research projects form part of the body of research carried out within the scope of the OpenEdu Project: OpenSurvey, OpenCases and OpenCred.

The main outcome is a framework for opening up education for higher education institutions, presented in a report published in 2016 ‘Opening Up Education: a support framework for higher education institutions’. This framework proposes a wide definition of the term ‘open education’, which accommodates different uses, in order to promote transparency and a holistic approach to practice. It goes beyond OER, MOOCs and open access to embrace 10 dimensions of open education. The framework can be used as a tool by HEI staff to help them think through strategic decisions: pedagogical approaches, collaboration between individuals and institutions, recognition of non-formal learning and different ways of making content available. Contemporary open education is mostly enabled by ICTs and because of this, there is almost limitless potential for innovation and reach, which in turn contributes to the modernisation of higher education in Europe.