An Introduction to Open Andragogy Practices

Andragogy is "the art and science of helping adults learn" (Malcolm Knowles, 1978).

Open Andragogy (also called Open Pedagogy) is the practice of including and engaging with students in the creation of course resources and information. Open Andragogical practices involve students in creating Open Education Resources for the classroom. Ultimately, Open Andragogy is a form of experiential learning.

Examples of Open Andragogy Projects: 

• Students contributing to a class textbook
• Students adapting, translating, or interpreting existing OERs
• Students contributing to class question banks
• Students evaluating and updating OERs
• Students contributing to Wikipedia articles
• Students creating openly licensed instructional videos

Open Andragogy can include Renewable Assignments: Assignments in which students compile and open publish their work to contribute value to the community.

MVC Library Titles on Open Andragogy:

• A Guide to Making Open Textbooks with Students by Elizabeth Mays (Available in the Library: LB 3045.5 .G85 2017)
• Open Pedagogy Approaches by Kimberly Hoffman & Alexis Clifton (Available in the Library: LB 3045.74 .O74 2020)
• Open Pedagogy: Learn, Create, Share by Lance Roe
• Enhancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) in Open Educational Resources (OER) by Nikki Andersen.

There are a number of reported benefits of open andragogy projects:

• Helps create open education resources that represent diverse student perspectives
• Provides an opportunity for students to engage in the information creation process
• Provides opportunities for students to learn about intellectual property rights, Creative Commons, and copyright
• Can emphasize innovation and creativity
• Provides assistance with maintaining and updating OERs
• Increases student engagement with course material
• Can help improve equity and inclusion by involving students in the review of course materials
• Values student experience and diversity

Open Andragogy demonstrates a commitment to:

• Access and equity by reducing barriers
• Community and connection by facilitating connections across different learning experiences and viewpoints
• Agency and ownership by protecting student agency over their learning experiences