Facilitating the Adoption of Open Educational Resources Vidyasagar University
Commonwealth of Learning (COL’s) regional centre,Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) is supporting Vidyasagar University, West Bengal, India, in adopting Open Educational Resources (OER) for better teaching and learning. In this regard, CEMCA conducted a workshop on OER for the university teachers, followed by the development of institutional OER policy from 09 to 12 November 2022 at Vidyasagar University campus, located in West Medinipur District of West Bengal, India.
The objective of the workshopwas to support the teachers at Vidyasagar University in achieving conceptual clarity on the intricacies of OER, searching for OER, and creating OER content and also drafting theinstitutional OER policy for the University.
In total, 38 (20 Male and 18 Female) teachers participated in the workshop and 14 (10 Male and 3 Female) policy level staff (Registrar, Librarian, Deans, Heads of Departments, IT Professionals, Directors) were engaged indrafting the OER policy for the University.
In his inaugural address, Prof. (Dr.) Sibaji Pratim Basu, Vice Chancellor, Vidyasagar University, highlighted the role of technology in the perpetuation of educationremote nooks and corners of the globe. illustrated how OER can be instrumental in empowering learners irrespective of their geographic and demographic distinctions. He thanked CEMCA for rendering multifarious support to Vidyasagar University OER culture.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Manas Ranjan Panigrahi, Senior Program Officer (Education), CEMCA. Dr. Panigrahi vividly portrayed the essence of the "LEARN-UNLEARN-RELEARN" paradigm. He explained how the acquisition of knowledge is related to learning, optimum catharsis of knowledge is related to unlearning,; and further acquisition of knowledge is related to relearning. He also illustrated the gradual shift from Open Educational Resources to Open Education Practice. He appreciated the Vice-Chancellor and the leadership team of the University for taking the initiative of creating and practicing OER.
Dr. Panigrahi also conducted the workshop along with Dr. Barnali Roy Chaudhury, Assistant Professor (Library & Information Science), Netaji Subhas Open University, Kolkata.
The facilitators created a participatory and collaborative learning environment in the workshop to ensure the inclusion and engagement of each and every participant in the highly dynamic learning process. The participants were enlightened with authentic, factual, and relevant information on searching, creating, and curating OER, including open licenses. The University teachers participated actively in the learning process and their views and opinionswere elicited through inquiry based facilitation and hands-on practical exercises.
On the last day of the workshop, the Working Group nominated by the Vice Chancellor engaged with Dr. Panigrahi in drafting theOER policy for the University. The Group included Deans, Department Heads, Registrar, Computer Sciences and IT Director, Head Librarian, Distance Learning Director,and senior faculty members of the university. They discussed various components of COL’s institutional policy template, and submitted the draft policy to CEMCA for further review and comments.
