Realizing the critical role that an open educational resource (OER) policy can play in supporting Early Grade Reading (EGR) efforts, the Global Reading Network has collaborated with Global Book Alliance (GBA) and All Children Reading (ACR) to conduct a series of three in-depth webinar-based trainings on open licensing in April and in the summer months of 2019. The webinars are intended to support ministries of education, publishers and Early Grade Reading (EGR) implementers as they work to provide open EGR resources.
Quality Education Materials for Millions With Creative Commons and Open Licensing
The Global Book Alliance (GBA) and Global Reading Network (GRN) sponsored webinars in the Spring and Summer of 2019 to discuss with stakeholders in the book production chain basics of Creative Commons and details of Open Licensing business models. Attending the Creative Commons sessions in April were 56 ministry of education officials from the African and Asian regions of the globe. The Open Licensing sessions in June and July drew 40 content creators and publishers of children's literature who are exploring the benefits, possibilities, challenges, and limitations of an Open Licensing business model.
Increasing Availability of the Books Children Love, Understand, and Can Use to Learn to Read
Despite the fact that research has shown that instruction in the language children use and understand is key to effective learning, many educational systems around the world exclusively instruct young learners in languages that are not familiar to them. One reason for this approach is the simple lack of appropriate books.
Responding to this challenge, Norad, USAID, and the Global Book Alliance have teamed up to develop the Global Digital Library (GDL).
Creative Commons and Open Licensing
A key barrier to improving children's reading skills is limited or no access to textbooks and reading materials. An Open Education Resource (OER) policy could help forward Early Grade Reading (EGR) efforts and is now a policy requirement for all United States Government-funded projects. Indeed, an increasing number of governments and donors funding education programs are requiring open licenses for material being created for public use.