OERu/Strategic plan 2014 - 2017/Strategic goals

Overview
This page looks to answer the question: Where we are going?

Our response to this question has been informed through a series of open meetings, discussions and decisions by the partner network to establish working groups for progressing priorities.

Please read through the strategic priorities we have identified and join the consultation by posting your views on the corresponding discussion page in the wiki.

Arriving at our proposed strategic goals
We're not starting from scratch. Our proposed strategic goals were derived from the discussions and the proposals for action during the 2013 series of OERu meetings:


 * 1) 2nd Meeting of OERu partners
 * 2) Transnational qualifications and course articulation meeting
 * 3) Inaugural meeting of the OERu Council of Chief Executive Officers

We have a vision
The overarching aim of the OERu network is to be recognised as a credible and innovative provider of quality education using open educational resources. Quality assurance and institutional accreditation through accredited partners are the cornerstones of the OERu innovation partnership.

Vision of the OERu
We envision a world where all learners have affordable access to higher education.

Mission of the OERu network
Members of the OERu network demonstrate their public service missions through the provision of alternate pathways to credible credentials using open education approaches.

Strategic goals and objectives
The first draft of the OERu strategic plan was derived from the the outputs of the OERu partner meetings and serves as the basis for wider consultation, reflection and refinement of our thinking. The strategic goals and corresponding objectives which have emerged from this process are summarised in the table below:

Consultation questions on the strategic goals
Consider the questions below and let us know what you think by posting your thoughts on the discussion page in the wiki.


 * 1) Are we missing any important strategic goals for the 2014 - 2017 plan? If so please let us know.
 * 2) What are the substantive risks which would prevent the OERu from achieving its goals?
 * 3) Do you have any thoughts on the priority ranking of the stated goals?
 * 4) Are there any strategic objectives missing from the list which would contribute to the attainment of our strategic goals?
 * 5) Any general comments, ideas or thoughts to help OERu achieve success?
 * 6) How can the OERu strategy narrow the gap between the value the network provides and the value extracted by individual partners?
 * 7) Additional consultation questions?

Summary of recommendations from talk page

 * 1) An overarching goal, perhaps best made explicit, is for the OERu to be perceived as a recognised, credible, and innovative provider of quality education. (Mark Nichols) - Recommendation: Incorporate in the vision / mission section of the integrated set of strategic planning documents.

Comments on Goal 1

 * 1) Incorporate ways for students to engage in the planning and implementation process, perhaps as a component of Academic Volunteers International. Is this part of the community source objective, or do we need a separate AVI related objective - (Maria Droujkova - SCoPE Seminar)

Comments on Goal 2

 * 1) Replace "cost effective" with efficient to read:  "Improve processes for efficient and scalable OERu operations." (Marc Singer).
 * 2) Suggested rewording to emphasise quality: "Develop processes for OERu operations that underpin academic quality at scale" (Mark Nichols).
 * 3) Suggestion to promote regional and national OERu collaboration focusing on local accreditation issues as a strategic goal. (Rassie Louw). - Recommendation: Include a strategic objective under Goal 2 along the lines of: Promote and support the establishment of national and regional hubs to: facilitate planning for national accreditation and articulation taking regulatory barriers into account; to facilitate national  solutions for cross-border learner mobility in the OERu network; and to promote national OERu cooperation. Consider introducing a separate goal for OERu national collaboration. --Mackiwg 00:44, 25 May 2014 (UTC)

Comments on Goal 4

 * 1) Suggested rewording: "Develop pilots/models to demonstrate viability and strength of OERu network" (Marc Singer)

Missing strategic objectives

 * 1) The need to develop and implement a communication strategy to make sure that the philosophy of OER and OERu is fully understood by various transworld audiences and stakeholders (Jo Smedley). Suggestion - Incorporate this strategic objective under Goal 2.
 * 2) See point from Rassie Louw about developing regional or national OERu collaborations.

General feedback

 * 1) Identity verification is a priority issue for the OERu. (Marc Singer,  Brian Mulligan, Mika Hoffman). Already included on the agenda of the Credit transfer and course articulation.
 * 2) Improve communication and support for OERu partners to engage. (Mika Hoffman, Marc Singer)
 * 3) Critical path priorities:
 * 4) * Develop and offer a sufficient number of courses to constitute a coherent OERu programme of study (Jim Taylor)
 * 5) * Progressing marketing,recruitment and communication (Jim Taylor)
 * 6) Marketing and recruitment of learners needs higher prominence in the strategic plan (Lenora LeMay) - Suggestion: Add marketing and recruitment as strategic objective under Goal 1.

Risks

 * 1) OERu not perceived as a recognised, credible, and innovative provider of quality education. (Mark Nichols).
 * 2) "Bachelor of General Studies" may not be attractive to many particularly in developing countries (Brian Mulligan)

Session 1: OERu planning context

 * 1) Add something student-centred to the priorities - Eg if an educator sends students to the project,  what could they do to help realise the OERu vision. Submitted by Maria Droujkova
 * 2) * Note to strategic planning working group: Consider how this might related to the community source objective of Strategic Goal 1 - --Mackiwg 22:27, 4 August 2014 (UTC)