Many parties nowadays present their open education solution as ecosystem, thereby often using this term as a metaphor. Important aspects of ecosystem thinking are sustainability, resilience, biodiversity, interaction between species and with the environment, nutrition processes, and evolution and adaptation over time. Although this provides for interesting perspectives on and understanding of (open) educational systems, it lacks scientific underpinning.
When theories and scientific notions concerning educational ecosystems would be taken into account in the design process for open education, a more evidence based result can be obtained. Applicable theories include Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system theory, complex systems theory, and spin-offs toward social interaction theories. Although some authors focus on either the educational technology aspect or the instructional design aspect of ecosystem design, others argue that each layer of the educational ecosystem should be addressed and balanced. This includes management & organization, curricular aspects, learning and instruction, testing & assessment, media and instrumentation, and data-collection and -processing. Educational ecosystem design should consider each of these layers in an integrated way, taking into account the actors (learners and teachers), the (learning) environment, (educational and interaction) processes and evolution over time.
This research aims at developing a theory based design methodology for ecosystems for open education in the healthcare sector. To achieve this goal, the theoretical basis combined with educational design research is used, applied to real life cases in healthcare education.