Exploring Open Educational Practice in HE and how it has facilitated the evolving workplace
I have worked at the University of Manchester (UoM) for 7 years following an 11 year break from employment (2000–2011) due to raising a young family. Returning to the workplace after a long period of time, along with the significant changes in technology was a difficult transition. However, during this time I have learned a lot and have grown both emotionally and professionally. I decided to study this course as I wanted to challenge myself even further, to learn something new and to refresh my critical thinking skills as it has been 25 years since I gained an Accounting and Finance degree in the mid-90s. This is my first attempt at learning at this level and although the learning curve has been a steep one, I am enjoying the challenge.
Open Educational Practices (OEP) is the ‘use of Open Educational Resource (OER) for teaching and learning in order to innovate the learning process’. UNESCO defines OERs as ‘teaching, learning and research materials in any medium that reside in the public domain or have been released under an open license that permits no-cost access, use, adaptation and redistribution by others with no or limited restrictions’. OERs facilitate collaborative and blended learning. By combining traditional face to face teaching with online methods blended learning offers both interaction and personal attention.
Part of my role as Recruitment and Conversion and PGT Admissions Administrator in The Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE) is to turn applicants into offer holders and offer holders into students. More than ever, due to the uncertainties that we currently face, our conversion activities are paramount as we are expecting less students this year than normal due to the impact of Coronavirus. Understandably the pandemic is causing large scale disruption and worldwide panic and the consequences might be that some students will withdraw from their offers or defer their University place for a year. It might also mean that overseas and EU students may have to study in their own country due to the travel restrictions. Therefore, MACE resources are being developed and solutions are being sought in order to deliver the highest-quality learning and student experience following this outbreak. As the situation develops in the UK so must our response and effective communication is key to its success. To compensate for the lack of face-to-face contact that is now unavailable we as a team are providing regular updates through webinars, blog posts and newsletters.
To encourage offer holders to accept their University places we have always produced dedicated ‘offer holder’ webpages whereby they can get in touch and receive up-to-date information, which includes ‘rich content’ such as sound, video and images, proven to stimulate users. This seems more appropriate than ever as it can also relieve isolation as interactive content can be engaging and community led. Sharon Gardner’s blog post ‘reflections on an ‘Open’ Educational Resource claims that OERs offer much more than a free substitute for books as interaction helps individuals to understand information and encourages participation giving users the opportunity to contribute to discussion and collaboration; which boosts knowledge and confidence. It has been proven by Gilly Salmon’s ‘five stage model’ that ELearning can enhance the learning experience by allowing students to participate in online exchange in order to stay engaged, informed and motivated.
Another example of the web page content which I have been involved with includes the creation of a series of short videos to promote our Masters courses. This footage includes a number of high achieving graduates from all over the globe discussing their passion for the subject, the city and the positive impact of a UoM degree on employability. Once edited the videos become available on YouTube; the most popular video sharing platform allowing the viewers to watch, interact and share. Once again, this will assist our ‘offer holders’ to make an informed decision and to aid our conversion.
With the significant rise in the use of digital technology and systems, I am now able to work remotely from home, which has been necessary as of 18th March when the UoM suspended face to face teaching and closed its doors to all non-essential facilities on campus due to Coronavirus. I have also been able to continue studying because the information that I require is readily available online. I no longer feel anxious about not being able to access the physical library to loan books as I remember feeling in the mid-90s.
I now realise that I operate successfully within the culture of Education. Culture is expressed by Charles Handy as ‘the way we do things around here’ and is described as ‘a combination of beliefs, values and standards of behaviours that are inherent in an organisation’. Carina Bossu says in her article that ‘education is, first and foremost, an enterprise of sharing’ a quote from Wiley & Green, 2012 and also suggests that most of us working in Higher Education are ‘open practitioners’ and that ‘even’ includes ‘student support staff and librarians’.
As an administrative team, myself and colleagues share best practice and use shared systems to which we distribute and update process guides and documents. During the lockdown period we have conducted Zoom meetings to share our feeling and thoughts. This communication tool has provided our team with an opportunity to communicate and feel less isolated. I feel part of a bigger picture and fully appreciate and support my employer’s values, which are ‘as an autonomous institution, which will strive to bring our shared values to life’.
In summary, open resources are useful and have helped to provide a sense of belonging in these turbulent times. Though the multitude of online resources available to use and share require new skills, equipment and an Internet connection, the systems are easily accessible without subscription. From a more personal perspective, I am also able to socialise online using Facebook and Instagram, have a virtual Houseparty and follow the news via Twitter.
