We explored the many meanings of "openness": open textbooks, open curriculum, open research, and open resources, as well as openness to new ideas. Today's technologies have transformed the way we interact and engage with the world around us. New devices, services, and effective practices have increased access to information while new policies and philosophies that explore openness have accelerated that change. The growth of social networks and virtual communities has transformed the learning environment into an interactive place to share and build content and community using collaborative systems.
- What are the opportunities and the challenges associated with educating in the open?
- How might our learners benefit from becoming producers and consumers in this environment?
- How can we, as a community of teaching and learning professionals, collaborate more openly?
- What evidence do we have that the trend toward openness is having the impact we hope for?