On 8/5/05, Jim Stodder wrote: > It occurs to me that DE [Distance Education] to the BOP would be one of > the 'leapfrog' technologies of which they speak, both because of (1) > hard institutional constraints in the 1st world and (2) huge cost > savings of appropriate technology at the BOP.
Perhaps the best "entry point" for distance learning (DL) to address BOP challenges is in the use of DL to provide training to adults in key areas, e.g., business (and public sector) management training, technical skills, etc. I'm a big proponent of putting development activities on a self-sustainable footing right at the outset if at all possible. Therefore, in the e-BIZ project we're doing in Macedonia (MK), we have worked with a local entrepreneur to create a fee-based online training center that focuses on providing management training (a huge need in MK), and has a solid business plan and revenue model. Interestingly, another company in MK has already bought equity shares of the original center, and the two companies together are moving ahead providing online training. This is not a threat to anyone at the moment, because there's such an enormous gap in good quality mgmt training. Further, the plan is to link high quality/international quality training, which is provided online (through video-conferencing), with local trainers who will build capacity in the content areas and partner with the international trainers in providing the courses. Perhaps, once this kind of center demonstrates the value and viability of DL, other education and training activities will consider it as well. Janice Brodman Director Center for Innovative Technologies [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
