Curriculum content and module development shall, whenever possible, adhere to the following philosophy of teaching/learning. While it is understood that not every module can or should follow every criterion, the following statements provide a general framework within which we hope module production will take place.
Participants
- Create a global community of learners* emphasizing collaboration, openness, and interdependence.
- Foster camaraderie, inclusiveness, and diversity within and beyond our network.
- Foster positive communication skills (listening, speaking, writing) that will benefit the wider community.
(*Learners include any stakeholders in the educational process; the traditional categories of student/instructor, researcher/subject, expert/neophyte become less meaningful in this context as we recognize the interchangeable nature of roles)
Access
- Respect of intellectual property in accordance to the regulations and copyright laws applicable to the source of the information (i.e. no protected material).
- Post documents on the site detailing the Policies and Liabilities of this site.
- Policies and Liabilities should address digital preservation, institutional restrictions on intellectual property, and applicable protective laws.
- Implement open-access, open-source resources, methods and solutions in accordance with the Policies and Liabilities document.
- Foster open communication and sharing of original idea, methods, and curricula.
- Encourage experimentation and implementation of a spectrum of solutions, particularly when developed through networking.
- Support open publication within the site or with a partner site.
Ethics
- Produce an official Ethical Standards in Ethnobiology using as a model/updating “Imperitives in Ethnobiology” (Salick et al. 2003)
- Integrate evolving ethical considerations and discussions of ethical issues.
- Foster respect for the perspectives of others.
- Create a framework for accountability and the acknowledgement of individual and institutional contributions.
Scientific Method
- Develop critical-thinking skills.
- Encourage inquiry-based and hands-on learning.
- Provide clear learning objectives, outcomes, and assessment measures.
- Apply quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection and analysis.
- Share methods and results with various audiences, via culturally appropriate forms.
Culture & Science
- Encourage a holistic, trans-disciplinary and multicultural approach that bridges sciences and cultures (e.g., sacred meanings and practices).
- Explicitly situate curriculum materials within cultural contexts.
- Teach a spectrum of scientific and cultural methods for comprehending the world.
- Encourage applied, community-based, and local research.
- Inquire about, honor and follow culturally appropriate protocols.
This statement was initiated and drafted by Gail Wagner and subsequently enhanced by OSN workshop participants.