Image: tech.ed.gov/
In addition to his responsibilities as the superintendent of the Columbus Municipal School District in Columbus, Mississippi, Dr. Philip Hickman is a sought-after conference speaker and presenter. Dr. Philip Hickman works to transform traditional approaches to education by incorporating new technologies and teaching methods. In 2015, he was invited to participate in a US Department of Education symposium that discussed the benefits of using open-license electronic materials in lieu of traditional textbooks.
At the symposium, an initiative titled #GoOpen was launched. This initiative encourages the nation’s school districts to use public funds to purchase open-licensed materials instead of traditional resources. The reallocation of funds allows districts to invest the money normally spent on textbooks on purchasing other learning tools that take educational methods into the next generation. Six districts, including the Columbus Municipal School District, became ambassadors for the program. These districts serve as mentors for other districts looking to incorporate open-license materials into their curriculums.
Open-license materials are educational resources that can be used without cost and without violating copyright laws. By drawing on open-license electronic materials, all districts, regardless of their location or budget, have access to quality learning materials.
Philip Hickman 