The Open Education Consortium (OEC) is a global, member-based organization that focuses on community building, advancement, and support of open education initiatives around the world. We bring those engaged in open education together to learn from each other and partner on improving and advancing open education work globally.
We welcome all types of organizations, across all sectors of education, from around the world to submit an OEC Membership Application.
Open Education Consortium membership is diverse and inclusive of:
- Primary and secondary (K-12)
- Community, technical, and vocational colleges
- Universities
- Non-accredited education promoting informal
- Organizations promoting lifelong learning
- Consortia
- Open initiatives and special projects
- Corporate enterprises
- Non-profits, NGO’s, IGO’s
- Cultural organizations, and
- Governments
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
OEC members include thought leaders and innovators from around the world. Inclusion in this network and access to other members, discussion boards, collaborative projects and idea exchange is a key benefit to membership.
Members directly benefit from joining a rich and diverse global community of open education leaders and practitioners working to improve teaching and learning worldwide. The Open Education Consortium provides members a forum to:
- Partner on projects with other members.
- Engage in professional development and learn best practices from other members.
- Collaborate on the development of open education policy and strategy.
- Network with other members to ask questions, discuss open education issues, and promote open education work.
- Participate in governance of the Open Education Consortium itself. OEC Board of Directors are elected from the membership. All members get one vote for each open seat in the elections.
Within the field of open education, member interests and needs are broad and diverse. Open education has a long history, especially as it relates to serving the education needs of remote rural communities and providing education opportunities to those who may not have traditional prerequisites. The Open Education Consortium continues and builds on that tradition with a focus on new forms of open education enabled by digital technology, the Internet, and cultures of sharing.
Current areas of focus for the Open Education Consortium and its members include:
- Educational materials
- Open education practices
- Enabling technologies
- System change, and
- Community networks
While the Open Education Consortium has a global focus, we also support regional open education efforts through nodes for regional or national collaborations. There are currently two Open Education Consortium nodes, 1. Community College Consortium for Open Educational Resources (CCCOER), 2. OE LATAM Regional Node
The OEC gives members a means of communicating and giving their own open education initiatives international exposure. OEC forum, media, blogs, website, case studies, events and activities raise awareness of members work taking place around the world.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Members shall support the values and mission of the Open Education Consortium. Institutions, organizations and corporations that demonstrate support and commitment for openness in education are welcome to join us and our global community. Examples of demonstrating support for Open Education might include the development and maintenance of an Open Education site, significant incorporation of Open Educational Resources into institutional offerings, active promotion of Open Educational practices, or other activity consistent with the Open Education Consortium’s mission and values.
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES AND FEES FOR 2020 and 2021 (in USD)
Open Education Consortium membership categories and fees are:
- Primary and secondary (K-12) organizations ($700)
- Community, technical, and vocational colleges ($700)
- Universities ($900)
- Consortia ($900 for consortia organization*, *$400 for each member institution that also joins)
- Open initiatives and special projects ($900)
- Corporate enterprises ($2,000)
- Non-profits, NGO’s, IGO’s ($900)
- Cultural organizations ($900)
- Governments ($900)
MEMBERSHIP, ON-BOARDING, AND RENEWAL PROCESS
OEC members pay an annual (January to December) membership fee based on applicable category. The fees for a new member are prorated depending on the month the membership begins. Membership fee invoices are sent electronically and can be paid via bank transfer, check, or credit card.
Existing members receive an invoice by February for the current year’s membership. Payment is due on receipt. Requests for an extension on payment due date can be made to our billing department as per contact information given on the invoice.
Every 2-3 years OEC reviews and adjusts membership fees. Changes to fees are communicated in advance to existing OEC members.
New members complete a membership application. Upon approval of the membership application, new members receive an email notification of acceptance and corresponding electronic invoice. Please note that newly approved applicants only become official OEC members upon receipt of the annual membership fee payment.
SUBSIDIZED MEMBERSHIP
If you want to join the OEC but lack the financial means to do so you can request a subsidized membership. The OEC is committed to global diversity, equity and inclusion. Requests for subsidized membership describing organization, interest, and reason for subsidization can be sent to memberservices@oeconsortium.org,
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP
For organizations wishing to show their commitment to open education as well as support for the long-term sustainability of the Open Education Consortium, a “Sustaining Membership” of $30,000 paid over 5 years is available. Sustaining members work with OEC staff to define how to best use the portion of their membership that goes beyond regular annual fees. After five years, a sustaining member can renew as sustaining or become a regular member.
CONTACT & QUESTIONS
If you have any questions related to membership please contact us at memberservices@oeconsortium.org