Open Educational Practice and Preservice Teacher Education: Understanding Past Practice and Future Possibilities

Abstract

‘Open’ is a commonly applied descriptor for a variety of educational initiatives but its meaning and implications vary widely. This paper reviews some more recent understandings of ‘open’ in education and what that could mean for teacher education. Frameworks for understanding open educational practice are reviewed, and past and present practices used in example teacher education courses are evaluated against these frameworks to develop understandings of how selected practices match the characteristics of openness. Directions for future development of open educational practice in teacher education are proposed.