Open pedagogies is an educational approach that emphasizes student-centred and collaboration-based learning, as opposed to the traditional teacher-centred model. Below I have highlighted some key features that I believe to best characterize this approach to learning:
- Student-centred: Open pedagogies prioritize student engagement and direction in the learning process. Students are encouraged to take an active role in their own education and are given opportunities to design and direct their own learning experiences.
- Collaborative: Open pedagogies foster collaboration and interaction among students, teachers, and communities. This approach values the sharing of knowledge and expertise and encourages students to work together to solve problems and achieve shared goals.
- Open and flexible: Open pedagogies embrace the idea that learning is a continuous process that occurs in many different environments and contexts, both inside and outside of the traditional classroom. This approach values openness, adaptability, and the ability to accommodate various learning styles and needs.
- Technology-enabled: Open pedagogies often make use of technology to facilitate learning, collaboration, and communication. This includes tools like online platforms, social media, and mobile devices.
- Community-focused: Open pedagogies prioritize the importance of community and place a strong emphasis on building connections between students, teachers, and the broader community. This approach seeks to promote learning that is relevant and meaningful to the experiences of students and their communities.
Open pedagogies align well with the idea of lifelong learning and the belief that education should be a collaborative, student-centred, and ongoing process. This approach encourages students to take ownership of their own learning and fosters a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
In the context of my group’s chosen topic of sustainability in Victoria, I would believe that open pedagogies would be a very effective approach to support learning. Our learning resource is targeted at people who have recently moved to Victoria, therefore the open pedagogies approach would be beneficial in at least one way, as it aims to engage students by prioritizing a focus on community which would directly apply to our students’ environment. Another reason why open pedagogies would align with our topic, is through the use of technology-based learning, as the course is not only set up online but also incorporates a variety of online tools and resources to support the learning process. Most importantly, open pedagogies prioritize student-centred learning, which aligns with our learning resource because we want to cater to our students by having them learn at their own pace, take on an active role in the learning process, share and reflect on their own experiences, and encourage them to find ways to make sustainable changes in their lives that work for them as an individual.
Resources:
Werth, E. and Williams, K. (2022) “The why of open pedagogy: A value-first conceptualization for enhancing instructor praxis,” Smart Learning Environments, 9(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-022-00191-0.