Everything open

The United States Department of Education has taken a significant step by appointing its first "open education" advisor, Andrew Marcinek, in the Office of Education Technology (OET). His role is to assist K-12 schools and higher education institutions in understanding and utilizing open educational resources (OER), which are free digital materials available in the public domain. This move aims to enhance support for states and districts as they transition to using openly licensed learning resources, allowing for adaptation to meet student needs and freeing up funds for digital learning. Marcinek brings valuable experience from his previous work on digital transitions in various school districts, including roles as director of technology for Grafton Public Schools in Massachusetts and instructional technology specialist at Burlington High School. Additionally, he co-founded EducatorU, a consultancy focused on integrating technology into schools, and authored the book "The 1:1 Roadmap: Setting the Course for Innovation in Education." Through his blog, "One more thing...," Marcinek continues to share insights and expertise on educational technology and innovation.