How to Operate an Open Source Writing Classroom

In order to illustrate the process by which Open Source operates, Open Source pedagogy must include both the process and the products of the method. This includes open access to the structural documents that define the class, like syllabi, quizzes, assignments, and other teaching materials, and this includes the work done in the class: the completed assignments, revision notes, and the like. All of these products are needed because they form the open access structure by which the Open Source methods were performed in the class and because they allow for replication and revision by others in the community viewing the class structure and the completed class assignments. This open peer review from the larger community for all aspects of the class is necessary to quickly fine tune both the class itself and the products from the class.

By being able to view the products of Open Source teaching, the process becomes visible. Open Source requires that the process be clear and explicit because the design is the shared element, the data is significant in Open Source. Further, the Open Source model shows that student work in a classroom is a product of the class as designed and taught by the teacher and as the students work within that model. This explicitness of how the classroom operates, along with granting additional rights to the students in designing the classroom experience and work, allows students to have a greater grasp on the nature of the class and how the class structure relates to the structure of class production. In addition to clearly creating a model for other classes to follow, the individual class work becomes a collaborative effort by both the teacher and the students. In doing so, it emphasizes the significance of collaboration by the class in project development.

In order to utilize full community peer review, the class projects must also connect to a larger community that will use the class projects, thus providing a method for peer review. Connecting to the community at large also provides students with real world writing, document design, and project planning experience—all of which are often covered in traditional projects for technical writing classes.

Previous: Benefits
Next: Lessons