OpenEd Wk 10 *** Reflecting on Week 9 Blogs about Readings

I liked reading Bobbe Allen's insights from C.K. Prahalad's Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid:

"One of the lessons learned from micro-financing could be helpful in OER: “…the incumbents in this space were all struggling to turn profits since they were used to working as donor-funded and –supported institutions. This dependence often affects scalability and sustainability (p.118).” Sound familiar? What they needed was a ‘point of presence/distribution point’ in the rural area. Instead of brick and mortar and staffing expenses they leveraged the relationships, knowledge and rural networks already in existence."

I believe this is the ultimate way that we will be able to transform rural communities (in the developing world and also in the USA) in order that they can more fully tap into the potential of OER. It is only through relationships (social capital) and through existing networks that we can integrate a new phenomenon that will bless the lives of many.

As Bobbe says:
"There are lessons to be learned from BOP (bottom of the pyramid). We know the virtual piece is important, we just can’t figure out the content. Give the responsibility to the SHG’s (self-help groups), those who have the greatest reason to see it succeed. Just start building, as in Wikipedia, and let the village grow."

Amen, sister! I think it is by putting the tools in the hands of the locals and by empowering them to take on the responsibility that they will not only contribute more valuable resources, but that they will actually create learning tools that are more valuable (to them and to the world).