Pragmatism vs. Idealism and the Identity Crisis of OER Advocacy

Rajiv Sunil Jhangiani

doi:10.5944/openpraxis.9.2.569

Pragmatism vs. Idealism and the Identity Crisis of OER Advocacy

Open Praxis

Volume 9 (2017): Issue 2

By: Rajiv Sunil Jhangiani

Open Access

|Apr 2017

Abstract

The open education (OE) movement is in its adolescent years and experiencing an identity crisis as it is pulled towards both pragmatism (marked by an emphasis on cost savings, resources, and incremental change) and idealism (marked by an emphasis on permissions, practices, and radical change). In this article, I describe these tensions (free vs. freedom; evolution vs. revolution; and resources vs. practices) before going on to argue in favour of a nuanced resolution to this Eriksonian crisis that reflects the diverse needs and motivations of educators. The merits of an integrated approach and its implications for the future trajectory of the OE movement are discussed.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5944/openpraxis.9.2.569 | Journal eISSN: 2304-070X

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Language: English

Page range: 141 - 150

Submitted on: Jan 22, 2017

Accepted on: Apr 14, 2017

Published on: Apr 1, 2017

Published by: International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

Open educational resources,

open educational practices,

© 2017 Rajiv Sunil Jhangiani, published by International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 9 (2017): Issue 2