“We have well over half a billion illiterate people in South Asia, and do not have enough teachers to make a dent in this number. Distance learning is the only way that significant numbers of such people could get a decent education.”

So writes Arun Mehta to a group called Wireless Networks In Education. Here is the full text, worthy of both applause and a close read.

July 11, 2006, New Delhi
Arun Mehta
To: “Wireless Networks in Education”
Subject: Global Learn Day and Distance Learning

Please see
History and FAQ Blog GLDTEN
History and Archive of Global Learn Day

Global Learn Day is a live annual event on the Internet that seeks to highlight what is happening — and could — in distance learning, using the tools of distance learning. We gather in a virtual classroom for 24 continuous hours, looking at the situation in different parts of the world. I have the responsibility for organising the South Asia part.

This takes place on October 8 this year. Perhaps we could examine, in the time available to us, the role that wireless networks are playing and will play, in spreading the Internet in South Asia, and look at the significance of this for education.

We have well over half a billion illiterate people in South Asia, and do not have enough teachers to make a dent in this number. Distance learning is the only way that significant numbers of such people could get a decent education. For that, we need broadband, because student and teacher must be able to see each other.

Has there been some thinking at the Tibetan Children’s Village, about the use of distance learning? This might be a way for all the computer experts that spend short periods of time in Dharamsala to remain in touch with what is happening at the village, and maybe even teach some short courses there.

I look forward to the ideas of my friends on the list, to see how we might use the GLD event to further our goals for the Dharamsala WSFII.

Warmly,
Arun
Footnote added with this post. For more information on wireless and education, you might Education Technology Resources.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 11th, 2006 at 6:04 am and is filed under South Asia. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.