OLPC-content: how to govern content and stimulate contributions

[Lucas du Croo de Jongh]

Hi,

 

Below I have ordered my thoughts on content development for OLPC. I hope it
sparks further discussion and shared actions on the topic.

 

Regards,

 

Lucas du Croo de Jongh

 

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Disclaimer: intension to be clear and constructive


 

Before listing my thoughts, let me stress that my intensions are purely
constructive and I therefore try to be as articulate as possible where there
seems to be lack of clarity. 

 


Positioning: Set up framework now to make things easier later on


 

I have tried to grasp the overview of content development for the OLPC as
introducing a robust framework now can keep things in check later on.

 

There are two topics that seem to stand out in this context:

1.	How to govern content
2.	How to stimulate contributions to content

Below I have written down my questions around them. If answers have already
been formulated to them, please let me know. Otherwise, let's discuss!

 


Question 1, how to govern content


*       How do we take care that best-of-breed content can be shared?

-      How can best-of-breed content be identified? (E.g., large scale
"exams" on a topic to compare different modules covering the same topic)

-      In how far is it necessary to prescriptive the look-and-feel of
best-of-breed content? (E.g., should constructism prevail over instructism?)

-      How can the content be shielded against "big brother", be it either
local powers (regimes etc.) or global powers (western states and pressure
groups)?

*       What standards/version mgmt/certification will be necessary? 

-      How is quality of the content signalled? (E.g. can a teacher rely on
it or does (s)he have to understand the content in depth to be sure it is
correct?)

-      What highlights the comprehensiveness of a module? (E.g. what
additional material do pupils need to study on the same topic?)

*       How can scale advantages be maintained beyond language and cultural
barriers?

-      What are the high-priority languages?

-      How to service small languages? 

 


Question 2, how to stimulate contribution to content


 

*       How can a wide base of contributors be developed?

-      How can learning-modules be divided into small enough tasks for
people to contribute? In particular, should we set up a market place to link
up schoolbook writers with programmers?

-      How can the potential content providers be motivated to participate?
What form of reward should they get? E.g. acknowledgement of individual
contributions, potential commercial links etc. etc.

 


What else is happening?


 

Next to this, what is currently on the menu for the short term? I can image
that the core modules need to be identified in order to kick start a
development initiative for them (e.g. calculus 101, reading and writing
Spanish/Chinese/English 101, Agriculture/Biology 101, .)

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