The 3rd UNESCO World Open Educational Resources (OER) Congress opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Nov. 19. Education Minister Huai Jinpeng delivered a speech via video.
Huai noted that boosting open educational resources through digital technology serves as an important pathway to ensure inclusive and equitable access to quality education. He said that China actively implements the Recommendation on Open Educational Resources adopted by UNESCO and also developed the “Smart Education of China” (SEC) platform. The latter application provides free and open resources and tools to support lifelong learning, pedagogical research, school management, and international educational cooperation.
Huai shared four key elements important to the platform’s development: First, the practical applicability of resources was given top priority. Educational institutions across China are encouraged to use the SEC platform to facilitate teaching and enrich students’ learning resources. Furthermore, the platform is constantly updated based on learners’ feedback to ensure that it is a useful tool for lifelong learning. Second, the platform has been jointly developed by a variety of parties. Its resources are continuously being expanded and improved in order to be shared by all. Third, the platform provides a single portal to connect separate resource links, thus integrating multiple functions that can meet diversified individual needs. Fourth, teachers are encouraged to use the platform to enhance their digital literacy and build students’ independent e-learning skills.
Huai stressed that China is willing to join hands with other countries to promote the sharing of quality educational resources and create a favorable environment for digital education featuring openness, cooperation, and trust. He said learners from around the world are also welcome to use China’s SEC platform.
The World OER Congress is a conference organized by UNESCO to facilitate international cooperation in the development, access, and application of open educational resources as a means of realizing the education-related targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
