Open Education 2017

Stemming from the ongoing Power in Numbers project from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE), subject matter experts and program staff will come together to discuss the state of OER in adult education, and what OER creators need to know to serve the needs of this underserved market segment. With a focus on the unique needs and learning styles of adult learners - a massive and underserved market segment, the panel will communicate lessons learned from the project's research activities and teacher user groups. Panelists will include OER experts, adult learning experts, and representatives from federal work on OER in adult ed. Discussion topics will include the importance of resource contextualization, andragogy and adult learning style, and how materials can be adapted for the adult audience. Aimed at an educator and OER creator audience, this panel will give listeners actionable advice on bridging this crucial and underserved segment, as well as insight and wisdom gained from the panelists' collective years of passionate service to the adult learner community.