OERu/Open technology infrastructure

Issues, questions and suggestions

 * still a digital divide
 * connectivity issues, for example Internet penetration of only 4% in the Pacific
 * mobile 3G penetration
 * community access
 * telecenters for shared access
 * what business model?
 * subsidies?
 * seamless provision of resources
 * institutional controls (ex: video: forms required, particular formats)
 * identity and access management
 * across resources
 * across assessments?
 * avoid falling into trap of computerizing existing manual processes
 * cost
 * offline copies
 * lack of engagement
 * problems with interactivity
 * security concerns?
 * versioning
 * branches
 * quality assured versions
 * formats
 * staying "current"
 * freshness of resources, culling outdated
 * communications technologies
 * mailing lists
 * synchronous... video, conferences
 * connectivity problems across systems


 * leverage existing infrastructure and practices where practicable
 * eg UCLA's Public/Private patch to selectively make some Moodle resources and activities open while keeping others private. Gently moves teachers to open practice http://slidesha.re/f5ecqW

Three First Steps

 * Promote and encourage universal access schemes
 * Identity/authentication/access mechanisms
 * institution
 * learner
 * Format neutrality
 * ideal resources available across a range of delivery
 * degrade gracefully
 * support mobile
 * support offline (CD, paper, etc.)

Other Activities

 * improve capacity
 * professional development for teachers
 * make learners aware of options and their actions online
 * author guideline for managing online footprint
 * promote competition in telecom sector
 * encourage and submit telecenters
 * OLPC
 * development
 * deployment
 * teacher buy-in
 * protection policies around personal data