As open education continues to gain traction across educational institutions, we’ve heard from the community about the need for more professional development focused on foundational concepts—especially for those stepping into open education work for the first time.
Building on the positive response to our Open Access 101 series, SPARC is pleased to announce Open Education 101, a series designed to provide an entry point to open education work as well as a refresher for those already engaged in this field. In this four-part series, we’ll cover foundational knowledge, practical applications, and emerging trends to help you understand, implement, and advocate for open education in your institutional context. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary, and all are welcome.
These sessions are open to anyone working in libraries, teaching, instructional design, or those simply curious about exploring this transformative topic. Participants can register for just those sessions that are of interest. SPARC membership is NOT required, and our goal in this series is to support the wider community, particularly those at institutions with fewer resources to support open education work.
Please find more information about each session below, along with the registration links for each. All sessions will be recorded and posted for those unable to attend live.
Session 1: Open Education Foundations
August 13 from 2–3 p.m. EDT / 11 a.m.–12 p.m. PDT [register here]
This session will provide a broad introduction to open education, including its core principles, key terms, and historical development. We’ll discuss how open education connects to related movements such as open access and open science, and highlight its potential to remove barriers and expand opportunities for both students and educators. Participants will leave with a strong foundational understanding to support further learning, along with awareness of key tools and resources.
Session 2: Open Education in Practice
August 28 from 2–3 p.m. EDT / 11 a.m.–12 p.m. PDT [register here]
This session will introduce key aspects of putting open education into practice. Topics will include how to find, create, and adapt open educational resources (OER), the foundations of open pedagogy, and how various colleges and universities are supporting open education through campus programs. Participants will leave with practical examples and starting points to apply in their own teaching, library work, or institutional setting.
Session 3: Open Education in the Current Moment
September 10 from 2–3 p.m. EDT / 11 a.m.–12 p.m. PDT [register here]
This session will explore how open education intersects with major trends shaping higher education today. Topics will include shifts in course material billing models (e.g., “Inclusive Access”), the rise of artificial intelligence, and growing areas such as microcredentials and workforce readiness. Participants will leave with ideas for situating open education within these broader conversations and advancing it more strategically on campus.
Session 4: FAQs: Answering Common Questions about Open Education
September 25 from 2–3 p.m. EDT / 11 a.m.–12 p.m. PDT [register here]
This session will take on the real-world questions that come up when open education is introduced on campus. Where do I find OER? How do I know if it’s high quality? We address these and other practical concerns raised by faculty, students, and administrators, including those submitted by participants in earlier sessions. Participants will leave with effective answers to common questions, evidence to back it up, and advocacy tips to apply in their own context.
Recordings of each session will be made available on this page following the sessions.