Does Open Content really reach out to rural learners?
Hi,
- Do you believe Open Content reaches out to global audience, including rural population? Share your perceptions with regard to infrastructure support to rural learner's accessibility.--Dr. Indira Koneru 12:08, 17 December 2009 (UTC)
Indira, I think this would be a great research project of dissertation. I know that there are some rural spots in different countries that have a computer and Internet access. I just don't know where. Although this is not rural, rather in a very part of India check out the story "A hole in the wall." I have not been back for a few years but they may have a lot of new information.--Katherine Bolman 00:04, 18 December 2009 (UTC)
- Katherine, I agree "A hole on the wall" is a commendable initiative. But, I feel equipping Rural parts not only in India but across the globe, with usable Information Infrastructure, is not taken up at needed pace. Ministry of HRD, GoI has initiated National Mission on Education through ICT (NME-ICT) Scheme to have Open Content available on Sakshat Portal. In five years, we may have OERs ready, but accessibility remains a big quesion?
The wheels of the Government move very slowly, but changes are perceptible. A few years ago, computers were unheard of. Mobile phones are a revolution in India and many people have a phone. The day will not be far when it will really be possible to reach out to rural learners with ICT. There are problems of shortage of electricity etc. but the fruits of development are not only for the urban elite. We will create another caste system if we are able to reach only to the urban elite. There are urban masses who have migrated from the rural areas across India. They can be reached too. The potential is there, but the question remains how to harness it. (Kalpana Gupte 17:40, 28 April 2010 (UTC))
