OpenCourseWare: open sharing of course content and design

Abstract

The OpenCourseWare movement has generated excitement in many circles through its potential contributions to both lifetime learning and ubiquitous learning. These courses are certainly beneficial to such groups, but OpenCourseWare can also make valuable contributions to traditional educational environments. Referencing established courses at some of the most prestigious universities in the world provides educational institutions of all types a means through which they can expose their students to the very highest levels of course design and subject matter. This paper will introduce the OpenCourseWare movement, its scope, and also how the materials may be applied to traditional educational environments.