The open education movement's success relies on cultivating a diverse community of enthusiastic advocates throughout the education sector. Drawing from experiences as a special education teacher, non-profit advocate, and academic librarian, this session explores strategies for empowering the next generation of open education leaders. We will examine the value of bringing together diverse perspectives - educators, librarians, students, instructional designers, and community organizations. Gain insights into raising awareness, providing professional development, fostering collaborations, involving students as partners, and recognizing champions. Learn practical strategies for tailoring advocacy efforts, building skills, and creating inclusive networks. Leave equipped with actionable methods to inspire and support advocates, ensuring sustainable growth of open education initiatives.
Attendees of this session will be able to:- Identify the value and benefits of engaging a diverse range of advocates from various roles and levels within the education sector for the open education movement.
- Develop strategies to raise awareness and provide professional development opportunities tailored to specific audiences like educators, librarians, instructional designers, students, administrators, and community organizations.
- Explore methods to foster cross-institutional collaborations and create inclusive knowledge-sharing networks that support open education advocacy efforts.
- Learn approaches to actively involve students as partners in open educational resource creation and advocacy initiatives.
- Formulate an actionable plan to cultivate, inspire, and support the next generation of open education advocates within their institution or community, ensuring the sustainability and growth of the movement.
