Open Source
We know open source is only as good as the folks who contribute. It can be as successful and adaptable as Linux. It can be helpful as all of the WordPress plugins.
Open source can also get mired in policy and minutiae — you can trust the definition at that link; it’s by the experts on the subject. Such issues have to be what shut down Zeal.com. I had to take the insane Zealot test four times a day for days, until I passed it. The questions were about such tiny details my mind couldn’t absorb them. (See Dear Wikipedia and try being an editor for the DMOZ.)
Enter the GELC
Enter the GELC, something really exciting. The Global Education and Learning Community. Some really smart, talented, experienced people are working together on it. It has the goal of an open source learning curriculum. It could be as powerful as Linux. I sure hope it is. Right now, Dr. Barbara (“Bobbi”) Kurshan, Executive Director of GELC is trying to prioritize some ideas via her blog. [The formatting is mine.]
Several ideas include
- a repository to build and distribute open source textbooks – which are probably the first curricula ever developed for teaching and learning
- a place for assessing the progress of a learner
- a virtual design center for creating a curriculum from open education resources
- a repository of courses
- and a community for discussion about open source curriculum.
. . . all of these ideas will become part of GELC. But, which one is unique? Which one will make GELC the “thought leader” in the open source curriculum arena?
What would you answer? One comment said, . . . drop this area. It’s a big turnoff currently. Is that what you think?
–ME ‘Liz” Strauss
Related in some way
Dear Wikipedia . . .
Out WikiPedia, Hello Encyclopedia of Stupid