Open learning is an innovative movement in education that emerged in the 1970s and evolved into fields of practice and study. The term refers generally to activities that either enhance learning opportunities within formal education systems or broaden learning opportunities beyond formal education systems. Open learning involves but is not limited to: classroom teaching methods, approaches to interactive learning, formats in work-related education and training, the cultures and ecologies of learning communities, and the development and use of open educational resources. While there is no agreed-upon, comprehensive definition of open learning, central focus is commonly placed on the "needs of the learner as perceived by the learner." Case studies illustrate open learning as an innovation both within and across academic disciplines, professions, social sectors and national boundaries, and in business and industry, higher education institutions, collaborative initiatives between institutions, and schooling for young learners.
Inception
Open learning as a teaching method is founded on the work of Célestin Freinet in France and Maria Montessori in Italy, among others.
Open learning is supposed to allow pupils self-determined, independent and interest-guided learning. A prominent example is the language experience approach to teaching initial literacy (cf. Brügelmann/
Brinkmann
Brinkman, Brinkmann, Brinckman, and Brinckmann are variations of a German and Dutch surname. It is toponymic surname with the same meaning as the surname Van den Brink: "(man) from the village green".Hans Brügelmann (1975; 1999),
Falko Peschel
Falko Peschel (born January 20, 1965) is a German pedagogue and proponent of open learning. He has gained attention for his unorthodox educational experiments and publications.
References
External links
Open Learning (in German with link to ...
(2002),
Jörg Ramseger Jörg or Joerg () is a German name, equivalent to George in English.
* Jörg Bergmeister, German race car driver
* Jörg Frischmann, German Paralympian athlete
* Jörg Haider, Austrian politician
* Jörg Andrees Elten (also Swami Satyananda), Germ ...
(1977) and
Wulf Wallrabenstein
''Wulf'' (Common Germanic "wolf") was one of the most prolific elements in early Germanic names.
It could figure as the first element in dithematic names, as in '' Wulfstan'', but especially as second element, in the form ''-ulf, -olf'' as in
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(1991). The approach is supposed to face up to three challenges (cf. in more detail Brügelmann/ Brinkmann 2008, chap. 1):
* the vast differences in experiences, interests, and competencies between children of the same age;
* the constructivist nature of learning demanding active problem-solving by the learner him- and herself;
* the legal requirement of student participation in decisions stipulated by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). of 1989.
Current uses of the term
The term "open learning" also refers to open and free sharing of educational materials.
Alternative education
Alternative education encompasses many pedagogical approaches differing from mainstream pedagogy. Such alternative learning environments may be found within state, charter, and independent schools as well as home-based learning environments. ...
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Augmented learning Augmented learning is an on-demand learning technique where the environment adapts to the learner. By providing remediation on-demand, learners can gain greater understanding of a topic while stimulating discovery and learning.
Technologies incorpo ...
Language Experience Approach
The Language Experience Approach (LEA) is a method for teaching literacy based on a child's existing experience of language.
Some of the components of the LEA were used in the 1920s, and this approach to initial literacy has been more widely used ...
Language exchange
Language exchange is a method of language learning based on mutual language practicing by learning partners who are speakers of different languages. This is usually done by two native speakers teaching each other their native language. Language ...
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Lifelong learning
Lifelong learning is the "ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated"Department of Education and Science (2000).Learning for Life: Paper on Adult Education Dublin: Stationery Office. pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons ...
Social learning (social pedagogy)
Social learning (social pedagogy) is learning that takes place at a wider scale than individual or group learning, up to a societal scale, through social interaction between peers. It may or may not lead to a change in attitudes and behaviour.
...
References
Notes
Further reading
* Brügelmann, H. (1975): Open curricula—A paradox? In: Cambridge Journal of Education, Vol. 1, No. 5, Lent Term 1975, 12-20.
* Brügelmann, H. (1999): From invention to convention. Children's different routes to literacy. How to teach reading and writing by construction vs. instruction. In: Nunes, T. (ed.) (1999): Learning to read: An integrated view from research and practice. Kluwer: Dordrecht et al., pp. 315–342.
* Brügelmann, H./ Brinkmann, E.(2008): Öffnung des Anfangsunterrichts. Theoretische Prinzipien, unterrichtspraktische Ideen und empirische Befunde. Arbeitsgruppe Primarstufe/ Universität: Siegen (2nd ed.. 2009).
* Brügelmann, H./ Brinkmann, E. (2011): Combining openness and structure in the initial literacy curriculum. A language experience approach for beginning teachers. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224849/http://www2.agprim.uni-siegen.de/printbrue/brue.bri.language_experience.engl.111124.pdf
* Giaconia, R.M./ Hedges, L.V. (1982): Identifying features of effective open education. In: Review of Educational Research, Vol. 52, 579-602.
* Kent, Jeff (1987): ''Principles of Open Learning'', Witan Books, .
* Peschel, F. (2002a+b): Offener Unterricht – Idee – Realität - Perspektive und ein praxiserprobtes Konzept zur Diskussion. Teil I: Allgemeindidaktische Überlegungen. Teil II: Fachdidaktische Überlegungen. Schneider Verlag Hohengehren: Baltmannsweiler.
* Peschel, F. (2003): Offener Unterricht - Idee, Realität, Perspektive und ein praxiserprobtes Konzept in der Evaluation. Dissertation. FB 2 der Universität: Siegen/ Schneider Hohengehren: Baltmannsweiler.
* Ramseger, J. (1977): Offener Unterricht in der Erprobung. Erfahrungen mit einem didaktischen Modell. Juventa: München (3rd ed. 1992).
* Rothenberg, J. (1989): The open classroom reconsidered. In: The Elementary School Journal, Vol. 90, No. 1, 69-86.
* Silberman, C.E. (Ed.) (1973): The open classroom Reader. Vintage Books: New York.
* Wallrabenstein, W. (1991): Offene Schule – offener Unterricht. Ratgeber für Eltern und Lehrer. Rororo-Sachbuch 8752: Reinbek.
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Educational practicesTeachingPhilosophy of educationPedagogy