7.1 Floss, oer, equality and digital inclusion  (Page 3/10)

Institutions might (initially) prioritise administrative software over pedagogically inspired technology and resources. Learners the reverse, and educators needboth. FLOSS packages for both of these functions are gradually being integrated.

Efforts to localise software may lead to redesign and development of completely new systems after analysing the local needs.

Creating one’s own educational resources, relevant to the local context, may prove easier and more effective than re-using resources obtained from elsewhere.

Priorities may be viewed from a global level. For example, FLOSS and open content show great promise towards the “Education for All” goal ( UNESCO and others), and are key enablers towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals .

A3. what are the motivators and barriers to floss adoption?

Motivators

In South Africa, after some lobbying by technical people with an understanding of the broader implications, the motivation for FLOSS adoption in government wasdriven top-down. The intention is to release funds previously earmarked for software licensing for use in capacity development and for addressing other development needs, while developingthe local ICT industries and effecting self-determination (at least in terms of the software we use). The following documents were produced as part of the process:

• 2002 Open Software&Open Standards in South Africa: A Critical Issue for Addressing the Digital Divide (External Link)
• 2003 Using open source software in the South African government: a proposed strategy compiled by the Government Information Technology Officers’ Council (External Link)
• 2004 Free/Libre and Open Source Software and Open Standards in South Africa: A Critical Issue for Addressing the Digital Divide (External Link)
• 2005 Declaration on the South African National Strategy on Free and Open Source Software and Open Content (“National Open Source Strategy”) (External Link)
• 2007 Policy on Free and Open Source Software use for South African government (External Link)

However, some government departments have gone ahead of this process and conducted partial FLOSS migrations of their own. I expect this type of “do what isneeded” will continue with innovative individuals leading in response to the needs of the communities they serve.

Motivation at other levels typically relate to improved software development processes, greater flexibility and reduced licensing costs.

A key motivator implicit in this posting is to do the right thing.

Barriers

The barriers to FLOSS adoption were discussed previously (see posting by Pat Masson). More generally, in terms of participation in the knowledge society, using currenttechnology, there are several building blocks which reflect part of the challenge we face for maximum impact:

1. Basic literacy - learn to read, ideally in one’s own language.
2. Computer literacy - e.g. mouse, keyboard, files and folders, …, or the equivalent features on a cell phone, etc.
3. Using office software - for employability.
4. Content (co-)creation - localisation and creation of multimedia knowledge resources.
5. Sharing resources.
6. Engaging in decision making processes at higher levels.