Same problem - different solution

There is an apocryphal story about NASAs millions of dollars spent on a pen that would write in a zero gravity environment - and the contrasting story that the Russians took pencils during the 1960's Space Race.  OK, so the USA had millions of dollars to spend and Mother Russia didn't, but that does not hide the fact that there are often effective and better value solutions available for many problems.

"Developed" and "Developing" world solutions

So, rather than engineer a complex solution, possibly costing many millions of pounds, dollars or roubles and label it "innovation", why not ask some of the most innovative people in the world - those who have to "make do" with very scarce resources, low wages, poor buildings and all manner of drawbacks that the developed nations (and their students) take for granted?

"Back to basics" is a common expression but how many of us actually reflect enough to consider what the "basics" are?  In an air conditioned, VLE supported, Lecture Captured, newly upholstered, "state of the art" lecture theatre teachers can often struggle to foster student engagement.  Students are persuaded that they are consumers, that the government is "on their side", that the privilege of education is actually a right and that their "satisfaction" is all that rally matters.  The notion that they must actually participate, i.e. give as well as take, is alien to their thinking.

Contrast with the schools and colleges in less well developed nations where education is fought for, families make sacrifices and engagement comes from the students, themselves, rather than their seeking it entirely from their teachers.

I'm off to Africa.  It's warmer there anyway.