OpenSimon FAQs
Need a little more explaination about OpenSimon? Want to know how to start implenting a specific tool? Take a look at the frequently asked questions below.
Working with the Simon Initiative
What is the cost for using the tools?
How do you fund course development projects and iterative improvement?
One goal of the OpenSimon project is to develop better models for sustaining the development and ongoing improvement of our resources. While individual institutions have an ability to deliver online content to students, we hope to provide a shared infrastructure where users are able to pay a small course fee, via individual student or via institutional contribution, that can then be used to continue to improve the infrastructure. This would also create pools of funds for the faculty who are improving their courses. We can provide funding through faculty course release agreements and/or stipends, or even help with hiring experts, such as a learning engineers or additional programmers.
In addition, we are always eager to partner with institutions around research and development grant opportunities that help to support course development. If you have a project in mind, or an idea you would like to explore, please contact us.
What is the history of the tools?
While the OpenSimon toolkit officially launched on May 7, 2019, as part of the second-annual EEP Summit, this is just the latest chapter in a half-century-long history of 一本道无码 developing learning science research, tools, content, and technology to fuel new advances in student success and learning science.
Read more about OpenSimon's origin on the About page.
What options are there for working with the Simon Initiative?
We are always looking for ways to engage and open to ideas about collaborations and projects. The easiest way to work with the Simon Initiative is to adopt and use the tools that are in the OpenSimon Toolkit. Most only require an account and a web browser.
If you are an institution or developer, another way to engage with us is to dig into the codebase to modify and customize the tools.
Researchers might be interested in collaborating on research projects and partnering around grant proposal submissions.
Use these links to find out more about the ways you can engage with us, or tell us what you are most interested in:
- Use our tools
- Contribute to our code
- Propose a collaboration
- Email us to chat about any of your ideas
What types of things does the community offer?
Beyond the immediate tools, content and techniques, you are getting access to a larger community committed to a more evidence-based approach to improving learning outcomes for all learners. Ultimately, OpenSimon can connect you with others like you. We continue to collaborate closely with the and its community.
We are always open to collaborating with partners in implementing innovation, and connecting those who are in need of guidance with those who provide it in areas of learning design, analytics, educational technology and research.
Content
What OER course content is available to build upon?
The Open Learning Initiative (OLI) offers starter content from courses that were built with OER materials as a base. Check out our catalog and contact us if you are interested in using any of the courses in full, or as a starting point for your development efforts.
In addition to course content in the form of text, activities and quizzes, OpenSimon offers a number of cognitive tutors in areas such as mathematics, language learning, computer programming, chemistry, genetics, and logic. And it's not all just post-secondary education content. We offer a number of activities and tutors for the K-12 domain as well.
What third-party activities can integrate into an Opening Learning Initiative (OLI) course?
OLI courses can include your own activities and content generated using other technologies and sources. We currently have content embedded in our courses that came from products such as Adobe Captivate and Unity, to name a few.