17 Feb 2011

A prediction for Canadian government policy in the next year

In November I suggested the Canadian government make grants available to professors and educators creating open educational resources.

I went as far to join a political party and become a part of my constituency's policy committee so I could prepare a resolution on OER.

The final draft of the resolution went as follows:

 Post Secondary Education Online


WHEREAS the online publication of high quality educational materials would be a valuable asset to educators and post secondary students, particularly in remote areas;


WHEREAS Open Courseware is the online publication of entire university courses – including syllabi, lecture notes, problem sets, examples of tests, and audio/video recordings of lectures – available freely online to anyone with an internet connection.


WHEREAS Many students go into post secondary school and drop out within the first two years of study, spending thousands upon thousands of dollars in the proscess and gaining little benefit from an incomplete degree.


WHEREAS course materials created by professors have little monetary value, but enormous social value, and are by default copyrighted, even when put online for public view;


WHEREAS publication of the top courses offered by Canadian universities would cost little in comparison to the benefits received by educators, students and the self-taught;


BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada urge the next Liberal government of Canada to establish a programme of grants to be awarded to post-secondary educators who create openly licensed educational materials freely available online;





Westmount–Ville-Marie Liberal Association




181 words


I have just learned that the U.S. federal government has created a $2 billion grant system for the creating of open educational resources.

I predict Canada will follow suit shortly.