open source movement

The open source movement is a key dynamic in the “knowledge society” revolution that's taking place under the pretext of globalization. The open source movement is a key social force in this post-industrial era. “The knowledge-based economy mandates workers to continuously improve and upgrade skills in order to process information and create new knowledge.”(Wang,2006). The open source movement is considered by some to be a welcomed partner of the “intellectual movement” in developing countries. Many developing countries are cash strapped and looking for opportunities to educate their populations, without having to invest huge amounts of capital into the process. Developing countries are also using the open source platform to create products and services for export to first world countries.

Educators can benefit from an open source platform. Support groups for open source projects are usually globally connected and motivated with the idea of perfecting a particular product or service that would benefit the Commons. “There is a growing awareness that the artificial isolation of schools from the outside world can be addressed by the innovative use of new technologies and new communication networks.”(Report on a European Conference, 2003). Freeing up critical thinking from formal learning structures and releasing it into the courtyards of the Commons – is what symbolizes the open source movement, in my opinion. The open source community promotes innovation and smart community building, which encourage interaction instead of isolation.

Report on a European Conference.(2003).Early Learning in the Knowledge Society:Early Education and the ‘Digital Divide’. Retrieved July 3,2008, from

http://www.ibm.com/ibm/ibmgives/downloads/early_learning.pdf

Wang,Qi. (2006). Quality assurance--best practices for assessing online programs. Retrieved July 3, 2009, from AET 540