In the guidelines, organisations can also use the three matrices as tools for benchmarking, visioning and implementing OER to assess the maturity of the organisation in relation to its adoption of OEP. Apart from using the guidelines as a self-assessment tool to position the organisations according to their degree of maturity, the three matrices/ tools mentioned expand the use of the guidelines. The first matrix/tool helps individuals or institutions to benchmark their level of OEP maturity against other institutions. The second provides guidance on the development of a vision statement for future OER practice. The third can be used as a reflective tool and helps institutions articulate an implementation plan for the vision statement. OPAL sees a number of benefits in focusing on OER practices and using the guidelines. Firstly, the guidelines help users understand how to think about the key issues in relation to OER practice. Secondly, they are designed to be flexible enough to cover multiple stakeholders. Thirdly, they can be related to illustrative examples of existing practice. Fourthly, they can be used as a mechanism to guide institutions to self-benchmarking/referencing. OPAL further developed the guidelines as an interactive metromap.10 The OEP metromap enables learners, educational practitioners, organisational leaders and policy makers to plot their trajectory on the path to OEP. This begins with assessing their current position, through the creation of a vision for openness and a strategy for open practices, and finally to implementing and promoting OEP. For each of the four stakeholders (learners, teachers, institutional managers and policy makers), the metromap indicates which of the factors need to be described and links to the relevant section of the guidelines. For example, clicking on the first node on the policy makers’ graph links to the relevant section of the document on creating a vision for OEP from a policy maker’s perspective. Similarly, clicking on the support mechanisms for the teachers’ node details what policy makers need to consider for putting in place relevant support and staff development. Figure 7.4 shows a screenshot of the interactive version of the guidelines.
Figure 7.4: The OPAL metromap of OER practices
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