This document contains three forewords for a book about enhancing education through open degrees and prior learning assessment. The forewords discuss how open educational resources and initiatives by governments have helped make educational resources more accessible worldwide. They predict the book will help bring together various advancements in technology, pedagogy, and delivery models to benefit billions through open education.

1. Enhancing Education through Open Degrees
Programs and Prior Learning Assessment
Foreword
It is with great honor and pleasure that I was asked to shed some pre-light into this incredible
comprehensive reference book that will enhance education for potentially billions of people. The
incredible professionals have contributed and committed to aiding educators around the world with a
seamless approach to all Open Education Resources, pedagogical advances, and innovative delivery
models – may just change our world.
Benefiting billions of people may seem like a stretch; however, it is attainable with the comprehensive
and seamless approach taken by the authors. What makes this book so thrilling and timely, is that
I was engaged in the 2011-2013 timeframe working with the Whitehouse CTO, U.S. Department of
Education, and Office of Science and Technology on the Mydata Open Data initiative (MyData, 2012) in
conjunction with Open Education Resources. The work produced an Executive Order by President
Obama (2013), explicitly making educational resources and education records open. The start of these
‘Open’ initiatives at the highest level allowed the development of an open-style education and career
positioning system (Roscorla, 2012).
Since these formative years of academic openness (liberation), there has been continual progress with
educational data, educational records, delivery models, pedagogical innovations, and the development of
millions of academic learning assets. On the technology side of education, the Internet of Things, Cloud
Computing and storage, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality,
MOOCs, simulated learning, gamification, and flipped classrooms. In some cases, universities liked Oral
Roberts
University has innovatively flipped their university to reach citizens in 101 countries (Duran, 2017).
The pieces for open access, innovative degrees, open and meaningful credentials, and access to billions of
educational learning assets to the world is now possible. The only missing piece to bring all the parts
together in a seamless, yet comprehensive manner is -- clear and concise communication on all the
‘Open’ advancements found in this book. This research and reference book fills the gap to provide expert
level experience to all educational stakeholders. This book is a love letter for all educators, to leverage all
the great work that has been accomplished, yet brings all the pillars of educational excellence together in
one book. I am both impressed and proud of the authors and editors of this joint research that provides the
education industry with an ‘open’ and vibrant understanding. All the technology, pedagogical innovation,
and delivery models will not make a difference if we can’t creatively ‘open’ the knowledge of all the
progress in a meaningful way; and this research book does precisely that. If one seed of education grows a
forest of a thousand trees, the hundreds of seeds planted within this book will genuinely reach billions of
people through the educators, researchers, instructional designers, faculty groups, and educational
associations.
Foreword
As an educator, technologist and innovator, I am elated that the world and society in which we find
ourselves is now on the trajectory of being connected at every level. In fact, the worldwide Fiber Optic
backbone uses the technology called ‘light’ to literally illuminate the knowledge and education
transferred via internet around the world. Who could have imagined that we would see the day with
educators could leverage this technology to send the seeds of education (light) instantly around the world.

2. Who would have imagined that we would see the day when educators could leverage this technology to
send the seeds of education (light) instantly to all locations around the world. I recently spoke at the
United Nations1 concerning their 2030 agenda; sharing the reality that the Internet of Things (IoT) will go
down in history as the worst named technology. The knowledge, intelligence, collaboration, education,
and automation being sent across the internet is not about things. Rather it is about people, freedom,
liberation, dignity, knowledge education, and the ‘openness’ of our society. As educators, we are
transitioning from an era of technology 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 into an era of education 4.0; where the focus is
on helping humanity be educated in a more efficient and effective manner. I believe this reference book
begins that transformation.
This book has truly illuminated the knowledge of world-class educators who are willing to share the keys
to open education, for all people around the world. Collectively, the authors of this book may have helped
rename the IoT to the IoL – the Internet of Liberation; as open education will usher in a new sense of
liberation around the world.
Michael L. Mathews
Oral Roberts University, USA
Michael L. Mathews has a deep and rich work history including 12-years at Cray Research as an instructor, academic
technologist, and global training manager; as well as 10-years at SunGard Higher Education where he served as chief
information officer, and vice president of academic services. In these roles he has influenced hundreds of research, energy,
chemical, and manufacturing companies, as well as over twenty community colleges, universities, and statewide systems. Mike’s
dual experience in corporate training and education along with working knowledge of seven Enterprise Resource Planning
(ERP) systems and six LMS systems has allowed him to quickly assess business process and technology innovation that creatively
impacts products, process, students, and society. Michael’s work in education innovation has won the organizations he works
many global and national awards, as well as two personal invitations to the Whitehouse. The awards include the 2012 U.S.
Department of Education Innovation Award for an Open Data Initiative with students, the 2016 EDUVENTURES Innovation of
the Year Award, the 2017 United States Distance Learning Association Innovation of the Year Award, the 2017 Constellation
Research Global 150 Award, and the 2017 Campus Technology Student Success and Impact Award. Mike has held positions as a
chief information officer, corporate training, general manager and coach of CIOs, chief strategist for innovation, business
development officer, teacher, and vice president of academic services for leading corporations and higher education. Mike has
been a CIO within higher education for over 12 years. Mike has earned associate and bachelor degrees, as well as many
certificates from institutions ranging from Dunwoody Institute of Technology, UW-Madison, UW-Stout, UCLA, Harvard Business
School, and Global University. Mike has completed Master level programs in online teaching and learning from UCLA as part of
his Master’s degree. Mike has been trained on computer systems ranging from PCs to Cray supercomputers. In addition, he has
specialized training and certification on business processes management, and is trained to work on seven major student
information systems/ERP systems including Banner, Datatel, PeopleSoft, SAP, JD Edwards, MAPICS, and Oracle.
Foreword
REFERENCES
Duran, M. (2017). Flipping the university: The right formula for innovative digital success. USDLA.
Retrieved from: https://www.usdla.org/blog/2017/08/03/flipping-the-university-the-right-formula-for-
innovative-digital-success/
MyData. (2012). MyData open data specification. MyData. Retrieved from:
https://tech.ed.gov/files/2012/05/MyDataOpenDataSpecificationv1.3.pdfhttps://tech.ed.gov/
files/2012/05/MyDataOpenDataSpecificationv1.3.pdf
Obama White House. (2013). Executive order -- Making open and machine readable the new default for
government information. The White House. President Barack Obama. Retrieved from: https://
obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/05/09/executive-order-making-open-and-
machinereadable- new-default-government- Roscorla, T. (2012). A GPS system for student information is
in development. Center for Digital Education.

3. Retrieved from: http://www.centerdigitaled.com/classtech/GPS-System-for-Student-Information-in-
Development.html
ENDNOTE
1. https://vimeo.com/163106322
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