Connecting with Global Thought Leaders #OER15

In the next decade a billion more people will come online. I am happy to work within the Mozilla Learning Networks to  ensure these newly connected Web citizens will have a future online (click here to learn more about my journey).

Recently these efforts have taken me  across the globe without leaving Connecticut. A group of volunteers in Southern India reached out to me  and  thank me for my work. From there a partnership has blossomed and I now learn with CoderDojoErode.

CoderDojoErode is a group of volunteers helping to ensure the next billion people who come online can not only use but also build the Open Web. Erode is a district in the state of Tamilnadu located in southern part of India.

Six men from the same village came together after elders in the community placed personal data risk.  Arun ShanmugamGauthamraj ElangoGovindasamy RathinasamyMahendran PalanisamyPrabu Kalaiselvan, and Udhayakumar Sathiyamoorthy were childhood friends who wanted to ensure the kids of Erode had opportunities in high tech classrooms.

The started a CoderDojo which is a volunteer open source network designed to teach coding. CoderDojo works closely with the Mozilla Learning Networks.

CoderDojoErode first worked with the Mozilla Learning Networks to test curriculum being designed for Mozilla Web Clubs. The Goal is to start 500 other volunteer clubs around the globe in 2015.

I helped the club set up their own learning network by donating Server Space. Now I offer technical support and explore ways to localise curriculum and celebrate local traditions. Mainly I just learn from the team. They have taught me so much.

This post was adapted from and originally appeared on the SCSU Education Department blog.

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