Keeping on doing what we do better or engaging in transformation? Achieving professional development through the usage of open educational resources

Abstract

Nowadays, teachers are asked to accomplish difficult tasks, both as mediators and facilitators acting within training systems which work according to Lifelong/ Lifewide learning. Hence, their own very professionalism is ruled by change and by the ability of managing complex training systems. Consequently, in order to respond to such a complex picture, teachers have to be trained in a specific way: not any more according to a traditional educational framework – which is fragmentary and sometimes even imposed; rather, teachers have to be trained through activities and improvements that will eventually take place at any time during their career path. This new conception requires us to take into account customized strategies, which could be implemented at
some specific career turning points. OERs’ structure and philosophy seem to promote dimensions of creative participations that match the needs of the above-stated career development. It is therefore presented a practical example drawn from CREAti project (Open Contents and Educational Resources for Teachers’ Professional Development), which has been promoted by CIRDFA.