Open pedagogy values: Authenticity
This value centers on designing learning around real-world problems and meaningful learning contexts that have tangible societal impact. It moves beyond abstract exercises to engage students in authentic learning through problem-based learning and project-based learning approaches. This contextualized learning emphasizes collaboration with stakeholders outside academia, reinforcing the public purpose of education and enabling transfer of learning to genuine challenges.
At its core, authenticity prioritizes community-engaged work that addresses actual community needs. This is often realized through renewable assignments—student work that serves a real audience and purpose beyond the classroom, contributing publicly rather than being discarded after grading. By grounding education in authentic challenges, this value ensures that knowledge and skills are developed through purposeful engagement rather than theoretical isolation, preparing learners to make meaningful contributions in real-world contexts.