Francisco MarmolejoTertiary Education Global CoordinatorThe World Bankfmarmolejo@worldbank.org

@fmarmole

Wow!!

A number of issues being seen as

“problems” are in reality opportunities.

Do we really know what are MOOCs? Do we have a consensus on what are “developing” countries? We assume that MOOCs is a substitute of open education  Both are evolving constructs 

Developingcountries

An alternative concept of development

MOOCs Just delivery Different content

Expanded vision of Open Education

+ Combining with experientiallearning. U‐Lab+ MOOCs 2.0

?

Open education is more than just MOOCs

MOOCs: an imperialist view?

Connectivity: a reality check

How do we start?

• We provide, they consume• Let’s make available our knowledge to them

By establishing a dignified and trustable communication with the real users / beneficiaries

A new type of students

I have a netbook, MP3 Players, flashdrive, IPAD… Dad, what did you use in school when you were student?

My brain!!

Empower people to have a better and more productive life

Fostering economic development

Empowering communities

But also as a way to…• Protect language, culture

• Connect communities

• Foster cross‐fertilization of ideas

• Foster citizenship

Are they enablers of greater social and economic mobility or the reason for socio‐

economic stratification?

Does the pace of growth in access to HE is enough to massively expand middle‐class in developing countries?

Is the “traditional” university the solution for expanded 

opportunities?

A key challenge: Opening up the privilege of good knowledge to 

greater number of people   

…National level changes are required but not sufficient…

…Higher Education Institutions need to embrace the change themselves.

Continuing doing the sme, but waiting different results

Doing more research. Too much 

speculation, wrong assumptions with limited evidence. Sound research to 

better inform policy‐making decisions.

Using the power of its 

global presence.

Creating local, relevant 

resources

It is not only about being 

“good corporate 

citizens” but about a business 

opportunity

Incubating innovative 

ideas

Keep working to get away inaccurate 

assumptions  of its unique 

role 

Here for good: just a slogan?

Instead of saying “we already know the solution”, let’s take the opportunity to see this crossroad moment as an opportunity to re‐learn and further work on this area.

Towards the need to further continue this type of dialogue and reflection. Re‐thinking the need to partner and cooperate.

Instead of saying “we already know the solution”, let’s take the opportunity to see this crossroad moment as an opportunity to re‐learn and further work on this area.

Towards the need to further continue this type of dialogue and reflection. Re‐thinking the need to partner and cooperate. 

Not an easy time. Difficult times are the best drivers of innovation

A priority for “tomorrow”

Marginal

About money and control

Too complex

A good idea, but..

A priority for ”yesterday”

Mainstreamed

About mobility of societies

Means for better education

A critical need

“ The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be ”

Paul Valéry

For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple,

H. L. Mencken…and wrong.