It is exciting the way things are coming together regarding new opportunities for education. 

Formal and non-formal education gap is narrowing

I see the gap narrowing between between formal education systems in universities and non-formal education on the internet. In universities it seems that there is a shift towards more use of the Internet and more opportunities for learner-centred elements in people's courses. This means more overlap with the kind of non-formal learning that people have been doing on the Internet in an independent way - ie completely learner centric. (By definition the independent non-formal learners on the Internet are having to find things out for themselves - without the support of any educational institution - so inevitably their learning choices are self-centred: learner centric.)

I have added some reference links at the end of this post

Knowledge Resource Centre to support independent learners

It is getting easier for clusters of potential learners to come together (either online or in physical locations) to support each other. 

The example I know best is the Knowledge Resource Centre (KRC) at Fantsuam where, tomorrow, the Dadamac team in Nigeria are celebrating Dadamac Day 6 (our sixth anniversary). The theme of our celebration this year is  "Dadamac goes Glocal". We are celebrating the Knowledge Resource Centre, and its launch as a glocal centre:

• Great vision.
• Excellent location to serve as a local focus for education, training and research. 
• Connected to the Internet through Zittnet.
• Active links with existing local education, training and research initiatives.
• Local young people needing opportunities for additional education.
• Connections with organisations and groups online.

Reference links

RIDE 2010 presentation - Improving the Learner Experience: From Web 1.0 to Web 2.0, by Philip Butler -  http://www.slideshare.net/CdeLondon/cde-presentation-5607624

RIDE 2010 Keynote: Open Educational Resources and Learning Spaces by Professor Josie Taylor  - http://www.slideshare.net/CdeLondon/ride-talk-josie-taylors-version

An unusual example of non-formal, very practical, Internet enabled, learning  http://learnbydoinguk.blogspot.com/2009/01/tom-ricardo-and-life-saving-learning.html

Knowledge Resource Centre - http://www.dadamac.net/projects/education-and-training/krc

Zittnet - http://www.dadamac.net/projects/business-sme-livelihoods/zittnet-rural-connectivity-ongoing

Education We Deserve - http://www.appropedia.org/TheFWD_pamela_mclean_The_Education_We_Deserve

Posted by:
Pamela McLean - http://www.dadamac.net/about/pam
Email pamela.mclean@dadamac.net
Twitter @Pamela_McLean and #dadamac
Website http://www.dadamac.net/company
Dadamac's Posterous http://dadamac.posterous.com/

Dadamac - "We introduce people to each other (mostly UK-Nigeria) and help them do useful stuff. How can we help you?"