From open education to open learning: The experience at the National Autonomous University of Mexico

Abstract

Open education has existed for more than 6 decades. In its beginnings, it consisted of removing various controls that made it difficult for students to enter and remain in the educational system. Today, it involves characteristics such as accessibility, flexibility, and adaptability, in environments beyond academics. The student-centered teaching approach has now shifted its focus, prioritizing student learning and giving rise to the concept of open learning. In 1972, the National Autonomous University of Mexico announced the beginning of its Open University System (in Spanish, Sistema Universidad Abierta) with the purpose of offering opportunities to incorporate large segments of the population into higher education through the decentralization of university services and the renewal of teaching methods. In this article, we review some of the university’s initiatives and solutions within the framework of open learning. Specifically, we analyze the changes necessary to renew and update the Open University System after 50 years.