Open Education Reference Guide
Pressbooks' planning framework and recommended resources for surviving and thriving on the open education journey
Maturity model planning framework
Resource guide for implementing OER and open education
Expert panel discussions & insights
Collections of openly licensed materials
Supporting Your Open Education Journey with Community-Driven Insight
With the rising need for innovative and inclusive approaches to education, educators and institutions worldwide are embracing open education to broaden access to high-quality, adaptable learning materials and practices. Open education offers a comprehensive framework for addressing the diverse needs of learners while tackling modern challenges such as inclusivity, affordability, and the rapid evolution of educational demands.
One of the most distinctive benefits of the open education community is its culture of openness and generosity in sharing knowledge. Whether you’re attending a conference, reaching out to a colleague, or posting a question in a professional forum, you’ll often receive a wealth of shared resources, adaptable frameworks, and insightful recommendations. This collaborative ethos lies at the heart of open education, fueling collective growth and innovation.
However, navigating the path to open education often brings questions: How do we get started? What resources are available? How can we ensure successful integration?
In response to these common inquiries, we’ve created the Open Education Maturity Model & Resource Guide—a community-driven tool that points to best practices and valuable insights from the broader open education landscape. This guide draws from the collective knowledge of the open education community we proudly serve and support. It was designed to help institutions and educators at various stages of their open education journey, connecting them with the resources they need to make a meaningful impact.
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Understanding the Open Education Movement
Open education is a broad movement that focuses on expanding access to education through openness in content, pedagogy, and practices. It goes beyond creating and using Open Educational Resources (OER) to include strategies for improving affordability, equity, and innovation in teaching and learning. By embracing open education, institutions can empower faculty, create more inclusive learning environments, and make education more accessible for all students.
What Are Open Educational Resources (OER)?
Open Educational Resources, or OER, are teaching, learning, and research materials that come with an open license. This open license grants permission for users to freely access, adapt, share, and remix these materials. The openness of OER is not just about being “free”—it’s about providing educators with the flexibility to customize content, supporting more effective and inclusive learning environments.
How Open Education Benefits Educational Institutions
For institutions, adopting open education practices offers a compelling solution to the challenges of rising textbook costs, personalized learning, and faculty empowerment. By adopting open education principles—such as creating, adapting, and sharing OER—educators can modify content to fit their students’ needs better. This drives innovation in teaching while advancing institutional goals of equity, access, and student success.
The Collaborative Power of the Open Education Community
The open education community is a vibrant and growing network of educators, institutions, and advocates who share knowledge and resources to improve educational practices. Our Open Education Maturity Model & Resource Guide reflects the wisdom and contributions of this community, offering a roadmap for institutions at every stage of their open education journey. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to deepen your commitment to open education, this guide connects you with the tools and best practices to create lasting change.