One of the most valuable repositories of knowledge in the OER world is the human network and community of activists that has emerged through their shared interest in creating and reusing educational content by using open licenses.

There are a number of human networks that you should consider joining, or at the very least explore for new ideas. Here are three human networks to get you started.  Not only do these networks focus on OER resources, but they also provide an active mechanism for networking people who share a common goal.

WikiEducator

WikiEducator is a project originally funded by the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL) with headquarters in Vancouver, Canada. The site is specifically for developing free content for use in schools, polytechnics, universities, vocational education institutions and informal education settings. WikiEducator also offers free training programs for its members.

Some recent statistics from WikiEducator.  In 2010:

• WikiEducator served 1.3 million unique visitors
• The OER Foundation provided free wiki training to 1284 educators
• WE now has 16891 register users welcoming 4567 new WikiEducators in 2010

OER at WikiEducator may or may not be formatted as a course. The topics range widely, including subjects such as Anatomy and Life Skills. As with Wikipedia and Wikiversity, anyone can edit WikiEducator OER; therefore, it is necessary to review WikiEducator information before use.

• http://www.wikieducator.org

OpenLearning Network (OLNet)

The aim of OLNet is to gather evidence and methods about how we can research and understand ways to learn in a more open world, particularly linked to open educational resources (OER), but also looking at other influences. OLNet also seeks to gather research and highlight ideas that people see emerging from OER.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is supporting The Open University to work with Carnegie Mellon University to develop OLNet. OLNET offers workshop events and provides blog spaces for community members to interact. OLNet is also active in conducting research within the OER community, and invites members to participate.

• http://olnet.org/

SCoPE

SCoPE brings together individuals who share an interest in educational research and practice and offers opportunities for dialogue across disciplines, geographical borders, professions, levels of expertise, and educational sectors. With this very broad mandate, flexible tools, and an open mind about how to proceed, the members have shaped this online community into a vibrant meeting place for collaboration, and sharing.

The core activity in SCoPE is scheduled seminar discussions facilitated by volunteers. Ideas for seminar discussion topics and other SCoPE activities come from the members.

• http://scope.bccampus.ca

Activity: Explore OER network communities

Explore the OER network communities suggested in this section. Enrol in a community and get a membership ID and password. In each community make a note of the topics, discussions or events that interest you. Be prepared to share your finding with your colleagues and/or the participants in the workshop.