We Are Open Co-op

We Are Closing After ten years of creative cooperation, we’re announcing that We Are Open Co-op (WAO) will close its doors on our 10th birthday: 1st May 2026. This has been a carefully considered, collaborative deci...

We have some news blog.weareopen.coop/we-are-closi...

Works for us, works for you

"New," as they say, "on the blog" blog.weareopen.coop/solidarity-f...

A collection of Open Peeps

New on our (new) blog: some reflections on how we're helping Amnesty International UK set up a new community platform blog.weareopen.coop/conscious-di...

Screenshot of new WAO blog

You're not imagining it, our blog looks different because we've moved to Ghost!

blog.weareopen.coop

Check out that sweet sweet three-column layout! (Thesis theme)

Many thanks to @helenbeetham.bsky.social for inviting me onto her podcast to talk about #AI and #DigitalLiteracy - but also ambiguity, vibe coding, and the importance of play.

helenbeetham.substack.com/p/doug-belsh...

Image CC BY-ND @visualthinkery.bsky.social for @weareopen.coop

Gaps in AI Literacy provision A values-based list of barriers faced by 14–19 year olds in the UK

New on the blog: Gaps in AI Literacy provision
blog.weareopen.coop/gaps-in-ai-l...

#AILiteracy #AI #Education

AI Literacy or AI Literacies? Exploring the plural, context-dependent, and socially-negotiated nature of new literacies

New on the blog....

AI Literacy or AI Literacies? Exploring the plural, context-dependent, and socially-negotiated nature of new literacies

blog.weareopen.coop/ai-literacy-...

Core Values for AI Literacy Embedding Ethics for Audiences aged 14–19

Core Values for #AILiteracy: Embedding Ethics for Audiences aged 14–19

blog.weareopen.coop/core-values-...

What makes for a good AI Literacy framework? Reviewing the landscape and sharing our approach

What makes for a good #AILiteracy framework? blog.weareopen.coop/what-makes-f...

3 illustrations showing the difference between WCAG, European Accessibility Act and EN 301 549 with the following text. WCAG: a cookbook: with recipes (guidelines) for preparing accessible digital content. It’s a global reference, but following it is voluntary. Illustration of a cook holding a WCAG cookbook European Accessibility Act. The food safety law: it makes serving accessible content mandatory in the EU. Enforced by EU member states, with penalties for non-compliance. Illustration of the scale of justice, with a contract named EAA EN 301 549: A detailed inspection checklist: not mandatory on its own, but, used to show the “recipes” were followed correctly. It’s based on WCAG. Illustration of a checklist, being checked by a pen, titled EN 301 549.

What’s the Difference Between WCAG, the EAA, and EN 301 549? Complex topic indeed.
I love a good food metaphor, so here we go:
- WCAG is the cookbook that tells you how to prepare accessible digital content.
- The EAA is the food safety law: it makes serving accessible content mandatory in the EU.

What does AI Literacy look like for young people aged 14–19? A research project with the Responsible Innovation Centre at the BBC

What does #AILiteracy look like for young people aged 14–19?

blog.weareopen.coop/what-does-ai...

What does AI Literacy look like for young people aged 14–19? A research project with the Responsible Innovation Centre at the BBC

What does #AILiteracy look like for young people aged 14–19?

blog.weareopen.coop/what-does-ai...

Reframing Recognition: Part 7 A Vision for the Future of Microcredentials

The final post in a series highlighting the key points from a report that @weareopen.coop wrote on #microcredentials for the Irish National Digital Leadership Network (NDLN)

blog.weareopen.coop/reframing-re...

#OpenBadges #VerifiableCredentials #OpenRecognition #DigitalBadges #DigitalCredentials

Reframing Recognition: Part 6 Challenges and Risks in Microcredentialing

Part 6 of a seven-part series teasing out the main parts of an NDLN report into #microcredentials

blog.weareopen.coop/reframing-re...

#OpenBadges #VerifiableCredentials #OpenRecognition #DigitalBadges #DigitalCredentials

Reframing Recognition: Part 5 The Role of Technology in Microcredentialing

Post 5 of 7 just dropped highlighting key points from @weareopen.coop's #Microcredentials report for N-TUTORR's #NDLN (launch event today!)

blog.weareopen.coop/reframing-re...

#VerifiableCredentials #OpenBadges #DigitalBadges #DigitalCredentials

F*ck Around And Find Out #3 · Zoom · Luma WAO is offering a series of workshops on AI where we’re offering a safe space to play with AI tools and learn about the social and cultural issues that…

Our third FAAFO session is coming up this Thursday. Why not join us?

lu.ma/v3g1qzlk

#AI #AILiteracy

Reframing Recognition: Part 4 Trends Shaping the Future of Microcredentials

Trends shaping the future of #microcredentials blog.weareopen.coop/reframing-re...

This is Part 4 (of 7!) in our series sharing insights from the NDLN report which will be released later this week.

#VerifiableCredentials #OpenBadges #DigitalBadges

Reframing Recognition: Part 3 Demystifying Microcredentials

Part 3 of our seven(!) part series introducing a new report on digital and micro credentials for the NDLN is now out:

blog.weareopen.coop/reframing-re...

@ntutorr.ie #VerifiableCredentials #OpenBadges #OpenRecognition #Microcredentials #DigitalBadges

Dimensions of AI Literacies: An Introduction · Zoom · Luma Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming every facet of education, both for learners, educators, and leaders alike. In this time of great change, how…

DID YOU KNOW it’s National #AILiteracy Day (in the US) on Friday? We’re running a session: lu.ma/lm657f0p

Reframing Recognition: Part 2 The Evolution of Credentialing

The second in a series of posts highlighting themes from our NDLN report on #microcredentials

blog.weareopen.coop/reframing-re...

#OpenRecognition #OpenBadges #VerifiableCredentials #DigitalCredentials #DigitalBadges

F*ck Around And Find Out #2 · Zoom · Luma WAO is offering a series of workshops on AI where we’re offering a safe space to play with AI tools and learn about the social and cultural issues that…

Last call for FAAFO in a few hours' time

lu.ma/fstk9rwl

#AI #AILiteracy

Reframing Recognition: Part 1 Introduction and Context

We recently authored a report for the Irish NDLN on the transformative potential of micro and digital credentialing in recognising learning and achievements.

blog.weareopen.coop/reframing-re...

#Microcredentials #DigitalCredentials #OpenBadges #VerifiableCredentials #OpenREcognition #DigitalBadges

F*ck Around And Find Out #2 · Zoom · Luma WAO is offering a series of workshops on AI where we’re offering a safe space to play with AI tools and learn about the social and cultural issues that…

We're running our second FAAFO session soon. Why not sign up, come along, and enjoy a supported space to experiment with new technologies? #AI

lu.ma/fstk9rwl

AI Literacies for Open Educators: An Exploration · Luma This event is hosted by We Are Open Co-op and Opened Culture as part of Open Education Week. Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming education,…

60 people have registered for this #AI + #OpenEducation session tomorrow. Wanna join them?

lu.ma/mak647t1

How to be an Activist in a World of AI In our final post in the AI and Activism series, we look to help you live your values as you explore new AI tools and services. Be sure and…

Just hit the button on Part 4 of a series we've been writing @weareopen.coop on activism and AI. It's an accompaniment to research we did with Friends of the Earth Harnessing AI for Environmental Justice. Full series linked at the top of this final post! blog.weareopen.coop/how-to-be-an...

Exploring the Dimensions of AI Literacies with Dr Angela Gunder Join us for two upcoming events as we help map the contours of the landscape

Our own @dougbelshaw.com is collaborating with @angelagunder.bsky.social next month on a couple of #AILiteracies -related sessions.

They're free to attend! You should come along 😀

blog.weareopen.coop/exploring-th...

F*ck Around And Find Out #1 · Zoom · Luma WAO is offering a series of workshops on AI where we’re offering a safe space to play with AI tools and learn about the social and cultural issues that…

Thursday 6th March - the @weareopen.coop crew is running the first of our FAAFO session. Tickets are £25: lu.ma/gkbv78pu

Amnesty International UK are hiring for an Online Community Manager!

ORE Community Call · Zoom · Luma Come and join the Open Recognition is for Everybody (ORE) Community Call! We'll be getting to know each other and talk about the things that are on our minds…

Join us at the top of the hour for the Open Recognition is for Everybody (ORE) community call. All welcome!

lu.ma/qkhp92r6

#OpenRecognition #OpenBadges #VerifiableCredentials #DigitalBadges #Microcredentials

F*ck Around And Find Out #1 · Zoom · Luma WAO is offering a series of workshops on AI where we’re offering a safe space to play with AI tools and learn about the social and cultural issues that…

This will be fun.