Open Education Synthesis and Recommendations

Academic Paper from the year 2019 in the subject Pedagogy - Media Pedagogy, grade: 76, The Open University (School of Educational Technology), course: Openness and Innovation in e-Learning, language: English, abstract: This short report is intended for the management team of a traditional Rwandan university, which has recently heard about open education and wants to develop a strategy on it. As the management team has little experience in open education, a briefing documentation about open education was given for their consideration. Although this is not a fully costed business proposal, it makes recommendations for open pathways, suggests a strategy for OER production, suggests engagement with other initiatives, and proposes a cautious approach or any mixture deemed appropriate. The report provides an overview of the domain, listing referenced searches in the academic domain as well as current researches and developments in the domain. It presents various proposals on the production, use and publication of Open Educational Resources (OER) and provides guidelines for the practice of learning and teaching in order to improve the quality of the student experience, to improve the provision of learning opportunities for all and to improve pedagogical practices. It also recognizes that the use, creation and publication of OER should be consistent with the university's mission and overall goals. Finally, the report highlights the main benefits for the University of adopting an open education policy, suggests a strategy for the production of OER, engagement with other initiatives, propose a cautious approach or constitute a mixture deemed appropriate. It outlines the main associated risks, proposes strategies to overcome them, and exposes the required technologies, including new roles and responsibilities to apply this new policy in academic institutions. It just provides hands-on experience, guidance and recommendations for the university to consider while developing an open education policy strategy.

Dr. Sixbert Sangwa is a Rwandan Christian minister, Academic, Kingdom Entrepreneur and Non-profit Practitioner. Sixbert has extensive experience in managing economic empowerment projects in the humanitarian and development arena, through national and international NGOs. He leveraged his strategic and business development skills to become a caring SME consultant and is known as the founder of various entrepreneurial initiatives. Today, Sixbert has remained instrumental to higher education in the fields of business, entrepreneurship and theology. He believes that the future of employment belongs to social entrepreneurship. However, he is concerned about the disconnect between faith and business, hence his continental mission to integrate faith and work. Sixbert's education is twofold. His first secular degree is in Rural Development and Agribusiness. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Arts in Online and Distance Education as well as a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and a PhD in Entrepreneurship and Branding. His religious track yielded him a Bachelor of Divinity, a Master of Ministry, a Master of Theological Studies, a Doctor of Chritsian Business Administration and a PhD in Religious Studies. As his research interests rest on general business management, open education and Christian affairs on the one hand, he is also open to offering advisory support in the same areas.