1. Template Sections for completion:
Case Study Title:
wikiwijs
Case Study Country:
Holland
Type of organisation described by the case study, address of organisation,
hyperlink to organisation, hyperlink to case study source:
Whole Dutch educational system – from primary schools to universities.
Case Study Contributed by:
Gráinne Conole
Sections 1-10
1. Mandatory - A brief summary of the institution to be used as a case study
About 500 words please on a description of the institution, its OER history
and approach.
Sources:
• The wikiwijs website - http://wikiwijsinhetonderwijs.nl/english/
• A report by Onderwijsraad: 'Onderwijs en open leermiddelen'
(Education and open educational resources).
The English translation is Wikiwise. It is an open, online platform of open
educational resources. Teachers and learners can find, download, adapt and
re-upload resources. It subscribes to open source principles and is based on
open content and standards. As suggested by the name, the project is
inspired by the notion of wikis as co-constructed collaborative content.
This is a very recent initiative launched in December 2009. It aims to be fully
operational by September 2010. The ministry of education in Holland
commissioned OUNL and Kennisnet to articulate a plan for the project
around five aspects:
• The development of an adequate technical infrastructure
• The collection of sufficient educational resources
• The establishment of an enthusiastic community of teachers
• The development of proficient users with the necessary skills to
develop and use OER
• The development of a clearer understanding of the research issues.
2. 2. Quality – OER/OEP
How does the institution approach quality in OER? Is there any current
indication of a quality concept or process? Does the institution perceive
quality from the perspective of the quality of open educational resources or
the quality of open educational practice? How does the institution show
quality through OEP versus quality of OEP? What methods, concepts and
practices are used to enhance the quality of OEP?
As this is such a new initiative there are no details of the quality processes
available yet. However the project does plan to adopt a phased introduction
to the initiative.
3. Innovation
How can OER/OEP innovate educational practices? What current innovative
practices are there in the institution? Please do not regard innovation from
just a technology perspective!
The identification of the five aspects outlined above to drive the project
(infrastructure, content, community, skills development and research) seem
to act as a valuable framework against which to drive the projects activities
and benchmark against in terms of success. The inclusion of a research-based
approach seems particularly valuable.
Also the fact that the initiative aims to be cross-sector (i.e. primary school
through to universities) has the potential to be very valuable and lead to
synergies and sharing of good practice across the different sectors.
4. Policy
What are the current OER/OEP policy arrangements at institutional and
national level across Europe/the World?
Not relevant at this stage, however the promotion by the Dutch minister of
Education, Ronald Plasterk at the start of the project is promising and
suggests this has the potential to be a cross-sector, national initiative with
Governmental strategic support.
5. Actors
What actors are involved in OER/OEP? Is there any evidence to show that
OER actors do not always promote OEP but “only” access to OER?
• Teachers from primary schools through to universities
• Learners from primary schools through to universities
• OER researchers
• Policy makers
6. Initiatives
What OER/OEP initiatives can be evidenced? Is there any evidence to show
that OER initiatives do not always promote OEP but “only” access to OER?
Not yet, too early.
3. 7. Open Educational Practices
Can you identify some case studies/ descriptions which form the illustrative
base for a more general model of OEP?
Not yet, too early, however building on the exiting well established
Connexions tool seems like a sensible strategy.
8. Tools and Repositories
What tools and repositories are being used to deliver OER/OEP? For example
GLOW, Connexions
Given the special requirements of the project, traditional wiki tools were not
deemed appropriate. The platform is adapted from the Connexions platform
(http://cnx.org/).
9. Strategies
Can you identify any strategies for organisations to use OER/OEP? Can you
identify any business models that promote OER/OEP?
Not yet.
10. Current barriers and enablers
What are the barriers to the use of OER/OEP? Is there any evidence to how
these barriers have been overcome? What are the enablers to the use of OER/
OEP?
Not yet.