Elements of Open Education: An Invitation to Future Research

• Published in: International review of research in open and distance learning Vol. 21; no. 3; pp. 319 - 334
• Main Authors: Zawacki-Richter, Olaf, Conrad, Dianne, Bozkurt, Aras, Aydin, Cengiz Hakan, Bedenlier, Svenja, Jung, Insung, Stöter, Joachim, Veletsianos, George, Blaschke, Lisa Marie, Bond, Melissa, Broens, Andrea, Bruhn, Elisa, Dolch, Carina, Kalz, Marco, Kondakci, Yasar, Marin, Victoria, Mayrberger, Kerstin, Müskens, Wolfgang, Naidu, Som, Qayyum, Adnan, Roberts, Jennifer, Sangrà, Albert, Loglo, Frank Senyo, Slagter van Tryon, Patricia J., Xiao, Junhong, Kerres, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Athabasca Athabasca University Press (AU Press) 01.09.2020; International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning; Athabasca University Press
• Subjects: Access to education; Classrooms; Correspondence Study; Distance Education; Distance learning; Educational Opportunities; Educational Practices; Educational Research; Educational Theories; Equal Education; flexible learning; Global Approach; Higher Education; Innovations; International Education; Learning Activities; Online Courses; online learning; Open Education; Open Educational Resources; Open learning; Open Universities; Prior Learning; Recognition (Achievement); Student Characteristics; Teaching; Teaching Methods; Germany
• ISSN: 1492-3831; 1492-3831
• DOI: 10.19173/irrodl.v21i3.4659

This paper explores elements of open education within the context of higher education. After an introduction to the origins of open education and its theoretical foundations, the topics of open and distance learning, international education issues in open education, open educational practices and scholarship, open educational resources, MOOCs, prior learning accreditation and recognition, and learner characteristics are considered, following the framework of macro, meso, and micro levels of research in open and distance learning. Implications for future research at the macro, meso, and micro levels are then provided.