Thoughts on quality

EL4C54 - WikiEducator Learning4Content Workshop
"Learn Wiki Skills for leveraging the potential of Open Educational Resources"
from June 26 - July 10, 2013

Another free WikiEducator Online Workshop under the Learning4Content project

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Discussion

Consider the following questions, add your name as a heading and let us know what you think: Do you have any concerns about the quality of educational resources developed using an open authoring approach? If so, what are your concerns? If not, how does an open authoring approach contribute to high quality learning materials? In your opinion, should closed or open authoring approaches be used in the development of learning resources for use in education? Give reasons for your view? What mechanisms can be adopted to assure quality of educational content developed in wiki environments? Use the "insert signature" button in your toolbar to sign your post. (You may want to open a copy of these questions in a new window or tab, to avoid scrolling up and down while typing your answers. Remember to hit the save button.) Once you have laid out your thoughts here, you are invited to join the attempt to synthesize the various perspectives into one coherent document.

Use the "insert signature" button in your toolbar to sign your post. (You may want to open a copy of these questions in a new window or tab, to avoid scrolling up and down while typing your answers. Remember to hit the save button.)

Francis Glasgow

In general quality is important. It sets standards by which efforts/performances are judged. The quality of educational resources developed through open authoring needs to be of concern because of its impact on acceptability among educators, in particular. The ongoing contributions made by educators, researchers and practitioners, among others, to the development of learning materials through open authoring enhance the quality of these materials.

Open authoring is a useful method for developing learning materials. This approach captures the experiences and expertise of specialists in the disciplines concerned thus adding to the quality of these materials. Secondly, open authoring exposes learning materials to constant/continuous revision which ensures that current/contemporary information and views are captured.

Workshops and other forms of training and the use of best practices represent two mechanisms which could be used to assure quality of educational materials developed through wikis.--Francis glasgow 19:03, 5 July 2013 (UTC)F.Glasgow

Raymond Martin

I do have a concern about quality. However, there are also errors in work with copyright restrictions. The beauty of open content is that others are able to collaborate and improve the content.

Open authoring approaches should be used because they allow greater access to information. Too many are denied access to information because of high costs for access. Education is the best vehicle to reduce poverty therefore open source is the way.

I don't know enough to comment on mechanisms to assure quality.

--Raymond Martin 02:30, 4 July 2013 (UTC)

Susan Dixon

I am a newbie to Wiki therefore I will need to reflect awhile on these questions before I can answer in any depth. I need more understanding of the big picture of how Wiki operates. Briefly, open authoring sounded a little frightening at first because of my concern over the validity of content. Although, I realize that in real life, everyday I am confronted with content that I have to determine if it is reliable or not. I base my decisions on further investigation into the documented resources. So, in that aspect open authoring with documented resources leaves the decision making process in my power. I rather like that idea! --Susan Dixon 21:09, 28 June 2013 (UTC)

JASMEET KAUR

We need to accelerate both in quantity and quality of education. Govts. are looking for more avenues to provide easy access to quality education to larger part of population in country.

1. There are some concerns regarding OER like lack of awareness in authors about copyright issues. They  hesitate to share their writings due to fear of loss of rights

second How to judge the quality and reliability of information? these are some of the major concerns otherwise OER is very helpful, easily accessible and a great medium for wider dissemination of information.

2. Definitely Open Authoring Approaches should be used for promotion of learning in education. It lead to democratic education in real sense and to faster development. It is putting great impact on university education specifically distance education. UNESCO and COL have very well recognised the importance of OER

3. Few Recommendations; Peer/Expert review of articles etc. to be get done by authors themselves with an evidence, Rating by users. Policy modification in respect to quality assurance and development of OER in variety of languages and context and Recognising and awarding faculty of educational institutions for development of OER.
-- Jasmeet 13:03, 28 June 2013 (UTC)
(: Great thoughts Jasmeet. The states and the individuals, both are laden with responsibility and commitment for creating avenues of education to the upcoming generations, who in one hand are more techno savvy and on the other, willing to acquire quality knowledge with precision and just-in-time. The fear in sharing is unwarranted as we all know that the knowledge enhances once it is shared and the knowledge becomes redundant if it is limited. We shall be talking on these issues in due course of Workshop. Looking forward for more thoughts from you.--Pankaj 08:33, 28 June 2013 (UTC))

Edward Anisitolo

I donot have any major concern about using an open authoring educational resource material. Accept to say that educational resource materials should be valued and culturally acceptable. Educational materials be attractive and stumulate group and self learning processs. Edu resource materials easly accessable and affordable. by that educational resources materials will enhance MDG Education for All goal 2.
--Tanisitolo 03:25, 28 June 2013 (UTC)

Lakshmy

1. Whether the open authoring/ learning resources have been a boon or a bane , depends on how the user uses it. While a lot of information is available on the net by the click of the mouse, it is important to know the authenticity of the same . For a teacher , it provides a lot of resources for using in the classroom and making the teaching- learning process more meaningful.The tutorials and problems available on some of the open resources are excellent and can be used as additional resources to make concepts easier . It can be useful for the student as well , provided he/ she does not blindly use it for assignments by the copy-paste method .The regular teaching mode, coupled with the use of the open resources would be more efficient instead of it being exclusively text book oriented or exclusively open learning oriented.
2. As for verifying the authenticity of the available material online, it would be a mammoth task, which would involve experts in the respective field to review the same and give their comments. In addition, there could be a mechanism for discussion with the authors ,in case, someone has doubts about the material posted in the open resources.
--Lakshmy 00:34, 28 June 2013 (UTC)

Denton Enriko

I dont have any major concern about the quality of educational resources and learning materials developed as a result of open authoring approach. Given the technical expertise and professionalism of different contributors from different parts of the world is a proof beyond doubt that the learning materials produced will be of high standard and quality that will help users look outside the box in a more global approach and perspective. Open authoring approach will also build the capacity and confidence of participants in delivering the content of the learning materials developed in a more effective and efficient manner,encouraging adapting participatory approach.
--Denton 11:29, 27 June 2013 (UTC)

Iapara

1. Really, I do not have any major concerns about the quality of educational resources developed using an open authoring approach. In fact, the open authoring approach contributes to developing high quality learning materials by; * Building confidence and capacity of participants in terms of knowledge of content developed and

• The ability to impart this knowledge by delivering own trainings to others.
• Participatory approach to experiential learning and self-discovery.
• The educational approach of ‘learning by doing’ themselves will promote and values the sharing of personal knowledge and experience of the topic.
• Encourages critical reflections on individual beliefs and values.
• The principles of mutual respect and reciprocal learning and seeks out and includes the voice of the learners in the learning process.
• Enabling people with different backgrounds, cultures, abilities, values and beliefs to learn effectively together and from each other.
• Encouraging social analysis aimed towards empowering participants to develop concrete actions for self-learning and social change that are in accordance with values and standards.

All in all, the free education version of authoring approaches contributes towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal 2.
2. In my opinion, I believe open authoring approaches be used in the development of learning resources for use in education. This is because of;

• Transformative learning theory underpins these educational open authoring approaches.

As such, sometimes the activities and projects in the curriculum go beyond mere transmission of knowledge and skills and aim towards creating awareness of issues and encouraging action by having participating learners critically reflect on their lived experience and determine changes they want to see in themselves and their communities. Building on their online lived experience, participants will engage in a process where they come to realize that not only do they have the knowledge and skills, but also the responsibility to do so.

• The approach, therefore, promotes the active participation of learners in an empowerment process that encourages them to incorporate learning values into their daily lives as well as developing appropriate actions that promote these values in their communities. The approach also favours inclusion, therefore, the training approach will outline processes that will allow participants to critically reflect on different issues and challenge exclusionary through discussions.

3. At this early stage within wiki environments, I cannot suggest mechanisms to be adopted to assure quality of educational content, however, the trainings should already contains most of the tools needed to build the confidence and the capacity of the participants in terms of the training content, knowledge and skills as well as the facilitation skills necessary to conduct as such educational activities.
--Iapara 10:29, 27 June 2013 (UTC)

Deepty

1) I have concerns about the quality of educational resources developed using an open authoring approach. This is because many people around me have a doubt of the quality and authenticity of the content which is open. Their perception is that whether this content are really made by the persons who have thorough content knowledge? They think that there are cultural differences and the the learner from various background will not be able to understand the content fully.

2) Yes in my open closed and open authoring approaches should be used to develop learning resources in education as it can benefit to the learners around the world can be used by the educators, learners , researchers and many other. and more exploration of the content can be proceeded. Each member of the society can be benefited from this and confidence can be developed to learn more.

3) Quality of the content developed on wiki can be checked by the organisation itself and may be a panel of experts can be designated this task who are willing to devote time for this.and one important thing is that some special software can be embedded in the system to take care of plagiarism.

--Deepty 22:52, 27 June 2013 (UTC)

Vanita Chopra

1. Well yes, I do have concern about the quality of educational resources developed using an open authoring approach. It is not just that the community of learners ( both teachers as well as the students) are referring to such materials or resources in terms of " how much" but what is its worth . Is that really useful for them , wherein its authenticity, both external and internal is reflected upon , how is it related to the background of the user, is it culture free, is it really putting forth challenges before the user to explore and discover, how can they use it as a reference to further build upon it through the social thread of sharing and discussion, how are they going to use it in their class keeping in mind the guiding principles with respect to the teaching -learning process. So I feel all these issues directly or indirectly have a bearing on the quality of the resources and they need to be pondered upon and discussed for finding out the answers for the same. This can be possible only through collaborative learning approach which is made possible through the use of wiki educator.
2. Well,I believe open authoring approach should be used to develop learning resources across the world. I would like to mention here, that it was very interesting to read in the tutorial wherein close and open authoring approaches were compared to a cathedral and bazaar with their own limitations. Open authoring approaches I think are easily accessible for the use of the community leading to use, reuse, sharing, adapting . In the age of 21st century, education should be considered as a medium to have freedom to openly exchange the multiplicity of views , building upon each other ideas, arriving at a consensus in terms of what is worthwhile and what is not. In this sense , value development would automatically take place as the learning community would come to work as a team, engaging in fruitful discussion, reflecting on issues that need attention and sharing it with others. This would help in building up a chain of knowledge , attitude and skill development leading to quality learning which is possible only when resources would be available and easily accessible to a wider community of learners.
3. Well I agree that there should be some mechanism to monitor , check and assess the content developed on wiki.For this some apex body can be formed to look into the quality matters. In this body apart from the experts, representation from the learning community can also be done as their inputs can also add on to working of this body. Also now-days, various plagiarism software are available free of cost online to check the authenticity of the content. I think quality control mechanisms should not be a one time task , but a continuous process for giving back the qualitative feedback to the authors leading to engaging, interesting and real content to which the users can relate and build on further for quality learning and sharing.

I thank the facilitators and designers of this course for making available a step by step process for learners like me who are new to this course and including a variety and different mediums of resources for quality learning.

--Vanita Chopra 01:50, 28 June 2013 (UTC)

Katarzyna Geraghty

1. I do have some concerns about the open authoring approach - mainly whether the information provided is correct. If students you the information already provided the question is if it is the correct information. On the other hand I think this way of learning gives the students an opportunity to research and find out themselves some information and then present it to the rest of the world. In this way they find out themselves and they will remember it better. 2. I think that we should use more of the open authoring approaches be used in the development of learning resources for use in education as they give the students freedom to discover rather than passively listen to the information. If they are allowed to build their own knowledge together with the supervision of the teacher they will learn more. 3. The quality of the material presented on Wiki should be checked by specialist and approved by them so people would know that the information is correct.
Katarzyna --Kaskagerty 20:14, 27 June 2013 (UTC)

Sangeeta Gulati

1.Yes, I do have some concerns about the open authoring approach- and it concerns largely about the accuracy of it.As the content will be freely available it should not end up delivering in correct information or mislead a learner.

2.A balance of Open and close authoring approach can be adopted to develop the instructional content.Each teacher and learner has different needs, so a teacher will be able to modify and adopt a particular material if it is open.

3.Material developed must be screened/vetted by subject experts before it is used by the teacher or learner.Authors should get feedback to improve their content and enhance the quality of the material --Sangeeta Gulati 15:53, 28 June 2013 (UTC)

Re: Good Observations, Sangeeta ji. In fact WikiEducator is a platform supported by more than 64,000 strong community who believe in sharing and collaboration. The material developed here is accessible to others and friends out there come forward to vet it or add to it or edit it appropriately. Feedback, as you identified, is crucial to quality improvement. --Ramesh Sharma, PhD 10:43, 6 July 2013 (UTC)

S K Pulist

I do not have any serious concern. I would, however, like to add that whenever anybody shares the content, reference/citation of the original source should be invariably provided. I hope this practice will take care of the quality concerns of the collaborative content development process.--Skpulist 17:10, 28 June 2013 (UTC)
Re: Thanks, Dr Pulist, this is a good suggestion. Reference/citation of the original source will help other researchers to take benefit of that work. --Ramesh Sharma, PhD 10:39, 6 July 2013 (UTC)

Anjali Saxena

In general quality is important. It sets standards by which efforts/performances are judged. The quality of educational resources developed through open authoring needs to be of concern because of its impact on acceptability among educators, in particular. The ongoing contributions made by educators, researchers and practitioners, among others, to the development of learning materials through open authoring enhance the quality of these materials.

Open authoring is a useful method for developing learning materials. This approach captures the experiences and expertise of specialists in the disciplines concerned thus adding to the quality of these materials.

Workshops and other forms of training and the use of best practices represent two mechanisms which could be used to assure quality of educational materials developed through wikis.--Anjali saxena