An open collaborative picture book project.
A group of GO-GN members, alumni and friends from different parts of the world (see names in rationale document) supported by a GO-GN Fellowship and the wider open education community collaborated online over 6 months (Oct 20 to March 21) to co-create the innovative picture book “Together” about the values of open education. An ambitious undertaking and the very first of its kind. To help raise awareness and spread the values of open education to new audiences and connect efforts locally and globally in an alternative and creative way, across generations, cultures and sectors and help us truly connect with and value each other.
The illustrations are remixed with details of exhibits from the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, available under CC0 and inspired by Annemies Broekgaarden keynote at OEGlobal 18 in Delft. “Together” is licensed under a CC-BY-NC license.
Picture books have never been just for young children. ”Together” is designed with a cross-generational readership in mind and engages individuals and groups imaginatively using metaphors, creative storytelling to make sense of who we are and what we can achieve together based on the values of open education. The story is about three friends who went on an adventure down the river to build a playground. On their way they meet other animals who seem to put obstacles in their way. Read the story to discover what happens next.
“Together” is available in a range of editable formats and languages to model how OER can be used, remixed and adapted easily for different contexts. The story is currently available in 23 languages, all fully editable. The illustrations are available too together with the Doodlefan (gognoer.github.io) software that has been adapted for “Together” and creates unlimited visual and multilingual opportunities for expression to take the seeds of this story and remix new scenes and new stories.
