Open to Debate: Open Education and the Library

Universities have embraced massive open online courses (MOOCs) with startling speed. For some, this “disruptive” idea sparks excitement about a world of free and easily accessible education. Others see MOOCs as a way to further monetize education and reduce the number of faculty on the academy’s payroll. This session encouraged participants to get involved in the conversation and consider other provocative questions arising from the new academic landscape created by open educational resources and free online courses. In an Oxford-style debate, session attendees got to be the debaters by voting on some of today’s most controversial issues, engaging in debate, then voting a second time to see if opinions had been changed. This session sought to provide a stimulating, informative and interactive exploration of the controversies surrounding the latest developments in open education.