I believe that humans have an
innate instinct to work together. I believe this basic instinct is the reason
for our existence and survival. Technology facilitates this common characteristic
based on constructivist principals. Open source software is an example of
technology that supports this premise. The term open source software refers to software
that is free of charge to the public. Examples of open source software include
Open Office and Firefox. Examples in education include Sakai and Moodle.
According to David Wiley’s article Open Source, Openness, and Higher Education
(2006), “this more common comprehensive shift towards openness in academic
practice is not only a positive trend, but a necessary one in order to ensure
transparency, collaboration, and continued innovation in the academy” (para 1).
Wiley describes the future relevance of
higher education as dependent upon its willingness to evolve towards openness.
Wiley’s article can be accessed, (for no charge), at http://www.innovateonline.info/pdf/vol3_issue1/Open_Source,_Openness,_and_Higher_Education.pdf
References
Wiley, D. (2006). Open source, openness, and higher education.
Retrieved from http://www.innovateonline.info/pdf/vol3_issue1/Open_Source,_Openness,_and_Higher_Education.pdf
