The author states at the end of his article: I want to influence those people who don't have the privilege and access that I, and many of my peers, have. But, in declaring that "I want to help or influence", I find that unpalatable sense of over-reaching and attempting to inject ideas into areas and regions that should be developing and exporting *their* ideas, not simply importing those from well-meaning, but largely clueless, people from other regions and contexts.
This statement made me question the whole MOOC process and mission. Is it not to connect people from all over the world to learn from and share ideas? When I think about under devloped countries I think of the limitations they endure and the lack of things available to them. Countries held way behind in so many elements. Is it really that we are simply importing ideas or are we helping a country whose ideas have already been surpassed to futher develop themselves and the progression of their countries. Furthermore just because we share or import our ideas with others does not neccessarily mean that those ideas will be implemented or follwed to the T. Sharing our ideas can inspire new ideas or different views of the same ideas. Yet if these ideas are not shared there is no advancement at all. Noone has learned anything, inspired anything and some people who are held at a standstill will continue to stay put.
Most times we a re unable to see that impact we have made through our actions no matter how small we may deem them to be. The important thing is that we made a difference and theat we continue to attempt to make a difference. As they say, "One man's garbage is another man's treasure."
This statement made me question the whole MOOC process and mission. Is it not to connect people from all over the world to learn from and share ideas? When I think about under devloped countries I think of the limitations they endure and the lack of things available to them. Countries held way behind in so many elements. Is it really that we are simply importing ideas or are we helping a country whose ideas have already been surpassed to futher develop themselves and the progression of their countries. Furthermore just because we share or import our ideas with others does not neccessarily mean that those ideas will be implemented or follwed to the T. Sharing our ideas can inspire new ideas or different views of the same ideas. Yet if these ideas are not shared there is no advancement at all. Noone has learned anything, inspired anything and some people who are held at a standstill will continue to stay put.
Most times we a re unable to see that impact we have made through our actions no matter how small we may deem them to be. The important thing is that we made a difference and theat we continue to attempt to make a difference. As they say, "One man's garbage is another man's treasure."
Gosh I *totally agree* with everything you say here. I have become fascinated with the "jua kali" informal economic sector in Kenya (and other "developing nations") ... innovative residents learn to scavenge materials and put together gadgets that improve their lives. Because the materials are scavenged, this approach to development is not only self-sufficient but it is much more sustainable than programs run by Western organizations that make the target population dependent on continuing aid. In other words, the people come up with much better solutions than the aid organizations do, because the people know best what will work for them.
ReplyDeleteI also have reservations about the MOOC idea extolling the internet and pushing a one-way dissemination of thought and learning. I feel it disrespects the knowledge that "other people" have about themselves and their world, that people in more privileged "educated" cultures do NOT have. How do we create a system of global exchange of information that includes all voices??