ISKME is the 2011 winner of the OPAL Award for Bodies which Influence Policy. The Award for Bodies which Influence Policy is given to a global, regional or national organization providing the conditions or resources for open educational practices, or encouraging excellence in open educational practices.

Gráinne Conole received the award on behalf of Lisa Petrides, Director of ISKME, at the awards ceremony.

Since 2009, ISKME has trained over 1,500 teachers from 25 countries with focus on collaborative innovation and social learning using open curriculum and open teacher-led approaches. Their OER-focused programs are designed to empower teachers to take an active leadership role in educational resource reform, encourage collaboration, drive innovation  and explore emerging economic models for sustaining high-quality learning content that is accessible by anyone. ISKME’s approach allows teachers to gain leadership and support to adapt and develop resources for their own needs, and then to share those resources with others.

ISKME website

Jury statement

In its statement, the jury concluded that ISKME has proven its effectiveness in providing teachers with the tools and skills to challenge policy in their institutions and home countries from the bottom-up. The Institute has both inspired and disseminated policies to other parts of the world, having worked with teachers from 25 countries, uses a Wiki to provide continual support to its stakeholders, and demonstrates strong partnerships – including with Africa.

The jury for this Award consisted of Anthony Camilleri of the European Foundation for Quality in e-Learning (Chair), Minh Do, VOER Program Director at The Vietnam Foundation, and Dr. Bianca Maria Santana de Brito of The University of São Paulo, Brazil.

Video film describing open educational practices

See details of all initiatives recognized in the OPAL Awards