Disrupting Education the Open Source way

Technology has the potential to radically transform the education sector and change the way students learn. Yet, there are only a handful of success stories worldwide when it comes to impacting school education through the integration of technology in daily classroom teaching. While many universities have become increasingly dependent on technology for effective teaching and learning practice, little has trickled down to the school levels where technology can play an even more critical role in improving student learning.

When we talk about introducing technology in basic education, we are not teaching students how to use computers or, as the oft overused cliche, teaching them the skills for the 21st century. We have little idea what specific skills will be needed when the current grade school students enter the job market in about two decades. On the other hand, technology, if applied wisely, can address many issues crippling our education systems, from grappling with the differences in the ways children learn to the shortages of good and qualified teachers.

Many attempts to improve education through the introduction of computers in schools have resulted in little demonstrable and measurable outcomes. The problem with most of the interventions is that they use technology as an extension of the current system. At best, they supplement the conventional methods used at schools. Whereas, technology should be introduced as a disruptive force to replace many of the ineffective means of the past. And if we are to truly bring a transformation, we need to include the majority of students who cannot afford the high price tags associated with technology and digital content. Open Content and open source software can be that disruptive force that can radically change the way students learn. It has proved to be a force to be reckoned with in university level education. Now it is time we do the same in school education, starting from basic education.