Increasing access to education through OER and creative global dissemination networks

Presenter:Kathleen Ludewig (MSI/MPP Candidate 2010)

Presented to: School of InformationiPol One Web DaySeptember 22, 2009

Copyright 2009 Regents of the University of Michigan. Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Copyright 2009 Regents of the University of Michigan. Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License. To view a copy of this license, visit <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/>.United States License. To view a copy of this license, visit <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/>.

Problems

- Educational materials are expensive

- Disparity in health care within and between

countries

- Healthcare worker shortage, especially in

developing countries

Solution

Learning materials that are freely available for use,

redistribution, and adaptation

OER

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License

A Huge Array Of OERs Exist TodayAcross Different Populations Of Learners

K-12 Higher Education Life-Long Learning

Courses

Lesson plans

Teacher training

Video lectures

Courseware

Podcasts

Journals

Books

Images

Applications

Games

Slide from Presentation CC BY William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Presentation at University of Michigan, October 23, 2008

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License

OERs Are Available Across The World

Slide from Presentation CC BY William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Presentation at University of Michigan, October 23, 2008

Caveat

The resources may be free, but there are other

barriers (e.g. technical) to access

Facts

Ghana South Africa

Internet Users 650,000 (2007) 5.1 million (2005)

Internet Hosts 24,018 (2008) 1.297 million (2008)

Cell Phone Users 7.604 million (2007) 42.3 million (2007)

Source: CIA World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

Explanation

Bandwidth (DSL, dialup, broadband, and satellite)

are expensive.

Source: International Development Research Centre, http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-6568-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html

Workarounds

Server side:

- Compressed files, simple GUI

- Removable media

Client Side:

- Removable media

- Intranet

- Social networks (e.g. student representatives)

Bandwidth for Education, some efforts:

- Universal Giving (Partnership with One Web

Day):

http://philanthropost.wordpress.com/take-

action-resources/spread-the-web/

- Partnership for Higher Education in Africa:

http://www.foundation-partnership.org/

Policy Advocacy

- Telecenters

- Mobile phones

- Traveling library

- Freedom Toaster

Partnerships with other ICT4D Innovations?

If you want to share your materials, educational or otherwise,

worldwide I recommend that you:

1)Attach an open license (e.g. Creative Commons) and use

only public domain or open content in your materials

(Open.Michigan can help you get started!)

2)Include compressed files and other UI customizations for low-

bandwidth environments

3)Investigate distribution methods other than the Internet (e.g.

removable media, Intranet)

4)Join advocacy campaigns for bandwidth for education in

developing countries

Conclusion

Questions?

kludewig@umich.edu

https://open.mich.edu/wiki/

http://www.oerafrica.org/