Innovating Practices Around Open Education Through BarCamps and Unconferences. Learnings from 14 Years of OERcamps

[TeamOERcamp]

At OERcamps, we’ve spent 14 years experimenting with BarCamps and other participant-led formats. I’m especially looking forward to conversations about how open education can create space for people to build knowledge together, as well as share resources.

On October 8, I’ll explore this question with my colleagues Jöran Muuß-Merholz and Nicole Hagen in our session on lessons from 14 years of OERcamps. I’d love to hear about participatory formats you’ve tried: what helped people take ownership of the conversation?

Note: Crossposted from Introduction thread

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[cogdog]

I’m a big fan of the OERcamps and am eager to hear more about their approach. Make note of the next OERcamp.global planned for February 23–24, 2027. This is an online version of this style of their participant-driven format. Register now to be there (I already did).

[TeamOERcamp]

Participation does not happen simply because we remove control — lessons from 14 years of OERcamps

What helps people move from attending an event to actively shaping it?

For 14 years, OERcamps in Germany have brought educators, practitioners, and community members together through BarCamps and unconferences. Participants propose sessions, build the agenda together, and move between learning, contributing, and facilitating.

One key lesson from this experience:

“But participation does not happen simply because we remove control.”

Participation needs intentional design: enough structure to help people find their way, room to take initiative, and support for sharing responsibility.

In our OEGlobal session, we’ll explore concrete design principles from OERcamps and discuss how they might translate to other communities and contexts.

We’d love to start the conversation here: What is one thing that has helped you feel comfortable enough to contribute at an event — especially when you were new?

A small example is very welcome. And if you’ve organised a BarCamp or unconference yourself, we’d love to hear what you’ve learned!

October 8, 2026 · 11:05–11:35 a.m. EDT / 17:05–17:35 CEST
Frank Homp, Nicole Hagen @ Jöran Muuß-Merholz
Session details: Innovating Practices Around Open Education Through BarCamps and Unconferences. Learnings from 14 Years of OERcamps

Whether or not you can join the session, you’re welcome to share experiences and questions here.

[cogdog]

Thanks for starting a conversation here in advance of your session, and perhaps that’s what comes in mind to your question.

I generally feel people are more comfortable to share when they are not the first, so setting up early examples as models seem to me to open the door. In a way that’s what you did here as modeling the practice of setting up a place in this sprawling space for your session and open discussions.

I also might wonder what I feel is an ongoing challenger of inviting online participation knowing how many different places people put their attention. I admit perhaps erring on making perhaps too many opportunities (hence the messy space right here).