{"id":2192,"date":"2011-12-05T09:43:58","date_gmt":"2011-12-05T14:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edutechdebate.org\/?p=2192"},"modified":"2012-09-27T10:39:01","modified_gmt":"2012-09-27T14:39:01","slug":"do-open-educational-resources-actually-increase-the-digital-divide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edutechdebate.org\/oer-and-digital-divide\/do-open-educational-resources-actually-increase-the-digital-divide\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Open Educational Resources Actually Increase the Digital Divide?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We have often focused on Open Educational Resources (OER) in the Educational Technology Debates. We talked about the need for creating digital content<\/a> and examples of existing Open Educational Resources<\/a>. But this month we’re going to ask a controversial question:<\/p>\n Does OER actually expand the digital divide?<\/b><\/p>\n The proponents of Open Educational Resources are right to point out the need for digital content. There are few if any locally relevant resources for educators in the developing world – local language being a major issue<\/a>. So is access – to the hardware required to view content and often the Internet access to reach it. In addition to content, and the access to reach it, teachers need the skills and training to convert good content into great lessons.<\/p>\n But let us say that all these prerequisites exist – content, access, training:<\/p>\n Please join us this month for what we all expect to be a lively and informative conversation \u2013 your input can start right now in the comments below. You can also submit your extended thoughts as a longer independent Guest Post of at least 500 words. Please email Guest Posts to editors@edutechdebate.org<\/a>. We will be publishing Guest Posts throughout the month to maintain the conversation.<\/p>\n\n