This document provides an overview of why openness matters for learning in the digital age. It discusses the importance of freely sharing knowledge globally to meet the growing demand for access to education. New concepts explained include how openness supports freedom to learn through collaboration on the open web. The document also examines scientific publishing and how open initiatives could help widen affordable access to knowledge by addressing high profit margins of commercial journal publishers.

1. Why Open Matters
By: Magdalene Posakei

2. Overview
In this introductory learning pathway, we commence our journey with a reflection
on why open matters for learning in a digital age. We will consider the meaning
of freedom to learn and the current state of access to published research
knowledge in a digital world. The purpose of this learning pathway is to
establish the context for open education, copyright, and open licensing as it
relates to learning in the 21st century.

3. New Concepts
• Explain the importance of sharing knowledge freely within the context of the
global demand for access to education.
• Discuss the implications of why open matters for learning in a digital age.

4. Video Signpost
• Video signpost is about doing online video learning technology
• daily newsletter, OLDaily, which is distributed by web, email and RSS to
thousands of subscribers around the world

5. Freedom to Learn
• The sharing of knowledge is not a new phenomenon. In our daily lives, we
regularly share knowledge freely, including:
• when a parent intervenes in the upbringing of a child;
• when a teacher presents a lesson;
• when a learner helps a friend to understand a challenging concept.
• Digital freedom is an expression that encapsulates the spirit of collaboration
spirit of collaboration now possible with the open web

6. Scientific publishing in a digital world
• Scientific research and dissemination of knowledge are key functions of the
university. Traditionally, scientific knowledge is distributed through a process of peer-
reviewed journals
Profit margins of commercial publishers of scientific journals are in excess of 30%
compared with the profit margin of 12 – 15% for commercial magazines (Buranyi
2017[1]).
• . In this section, we will reflect on and discuss the potential of open initiatives to
widen affordable access to knowledge in a digital age.