Tim Unwin asks – why are OERs not more widely used by people in Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa), when intuitively they would deliver huge value?

I’m afraid I missed documenting much of this talk. Tim challenged the OER model – it isn’t working (in this geographic area) – why not? Is OER essentially ‘imperialist’? Those involved are generally white, male, and older. Many OERs are not high quality – even flagship efforts like MIT OCW often very basic material available – e.g. just course outlines or basic powerpoint slides.

Biggest challenges:

• Changes in personnel
• Funding mechanism diversity
• Time committments
• Failure to understand ‘meanings’ – ICT4D (ICT for development) more than just computers in labs

Practical Realities

• Structure and financing of African Universities – and now agendas around new private universities
• Traditional didactic model of teaching – counter to particpatroy models
• Role and ‘income’ of unversity teachers
• Intellectual elitism – are African universities really serving their peoples’ development needs?
• Dependant mentalities – ‘where is the next grant coming from?’
• Limited human capacity – but some outstanding individuals
• Dominance of individualism – idea that HE is about individual benefits and gain, not about community

Implications/Questions for ‘us’ (i.e Europe/US)

• Fundamentl challenge of education as a public or private good
• How much do we really use OERs in our own work?
• Can we afford the time to help African academics achieve their ambitions?