Stephen's Web

OLDaily

by Stephen Downes
August 12, 2009

First Hour of Wiley and Downes Dialogue on Open Ed
Some commentary and reactions to the dialogue from yesterday. Jared Stein writes, "Downes goes all socialist and argues that financial incentives discourage variety because the bland textbook sells more." Conviviality writes, "Unfortunately for the OER innovators and early adopters, what needs to happen to move the OER approach ahead is a lot more focus on the how, rather than on the what and why parts of the argument. A phase change really needs to take shape – one that involves actual practitioners, people who teach courses, normal humans, real instructors." Light in the shadows: "Two guys talking for 3.5 hours." Jared Stein, Flexknowlogy, August 12, 2009 [Link] [Tags: Books, Open Educational Resources] [Comment]

Disruptive Innovation
I haven't read Disrupting Class but Clayton Christensen's approach to disruptive innovation has come up and is relevant (IMHO) to open education resources. Here's an overview of the key points. The Wikipedia page on this. The book page for Disrupting Class. Clayton Christensen, Website, August 12, 2009 [Link] [Tags: Books, Wikipedia] [Comment]

How to join in even if you can't be in Vancouver
Good guide to the opportunities to participate in the open education conference from a distance. "I am frankly overwhelmed to see the 200 or so amazing folks who have come together in Vancouver around "Open Education." But this movement is far larger than that, it's a global movement, and we are doing our best as organizers to help folks who couldn't make the journey participate in various ways." Scott Leslie, Open Education Conference, August 12, 2009 [Link] [Tags: none] [Comment]

How Web-Savvy Edupunks Are Transforming American Higher Education
"The edupunks are on the march," observes this article (that generated some hall conversation yesterday). "From VC-funded startups to the ivied walls of Harvard, new experiments and business models are springing up from entrepreneurs, professors, and students alike. Want a class that's structured like a role-playing game? An accredited bachelor's degree for a few thousand dollars? A free, peer-to-peer Wiki university? These all exist today, the overture to a complete educational remix." The author is reportedly lurking at the Open Education conference, which means we may see some more mainstreaming of the ideas floating about around here. Anya Kamenetz, Fast Company, August 12, 2009 [Link] [Tags: United States, Edupunk, Online Learning] [Comment]

Open Educational Resources (OER) Africa
Catherine Ngugi Keynote presentation on OER in Africa. Interesting commentary on the role (or varying roles) and potential for OER in Africa. Related and very useful: TESSA (Teacher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa. Also, OER Africa. @amcunningham: "OER is not an end in itself, but catalyst for broader sea change to dramatically expand & improve education." Catherine Ngugi, UStream, August 12, 2009 [Link] [Tags: Open Educational Resources, Africa] [Comment]

This newsletter is sent only at the request of subscribers. If you would like to unsubscribe, Click here.

Know a friend who might enjoy this newsletter? Feel free to forward OLDaily to your colleagues. If you received this issue from a friend and would like a free subscription of your own, you can join our mailing list. Click here to subscribe.