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Open Library for Local Learning Communities

The Open Library for Local Learning Communities (OL3C) is a large project that MAFLT has been asked to take a major role in by Wycliffe / SIL (Gary Simons, Chief Research Officer), Shell books (Mike Trainum, CEO), and ARCA Associates (Peter Clark, CEO). The purpose of the project is to facilitate the development and distribution of SALT, LIGHT, and Multilingual Learning Resources for limited literate education needs around the world. Several documents and audio sessions are attached to explain the project by the key initiators from Wycliffe and ARCA and Shellbooks. litejazz logo Open Library for Local Learning Communities

The first attached document #1 gives an introduction to the OL3C project with an early initial proposal. By the end of the three year project the following four outcomes are expected:

  • Shell book Creation: Hundreds of resource shells are available in Shell book format for localization by local learning communities, and thousands of localized editions are available to demonstrate the success of the approach.
  • Library System: Development agencies and local learning communities alike are using the Open Library for Local Learning Communities (OL3C) to share both resource shells and localized editions.
  • Training Development: Development agencies and local learning communities have access to the training they need for creating resource shells, making localized editions, and using the Open Library.
  • Community of Practice: A self-sustaining consortium of all the agencies participating in the OL3C is functioning as a community of practice to share results, promote best practices, establish standards, and make strategic decisions regarding the future of the OL3C.

The specific tasks and responsibilities to accomplish these goals are given in attached document #2. OL3C Preliminary Plan. In this document the detailed objectives that MAFLT has been asked to be responsible for are given in 1.1a through 1.1L. We are being asked to manage the development of the online open library that will allow worldwide multilingual sharing of shell book and PDF resources. The online library will facilitate the search for and downloading of existing resources in major trade or national languages so that they can be contextually moved to local heart language resources and uploaded to the online open library.

A preliminary model of this functional concept has been created and is located at www.worldvision.ol3c.org This pilot site will guide you through the extensive shell books resources it contains and gives access to. This is mean to only be a concept example and not a GUI design for the OL3C project. It is an example of a tailored agency portal within OL3C.

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Testimonies from Zambia – Audio Bibles

Zambian pastor, Michael Mutale, writes to MAF-LT’s Mike Holman,

Mike,

Am fine. I have been doing trainings. I had a group of pastors who had interest in Digital library and we had a good time together.

Please do pray for me as I go next week out to meet 60 pastors from the North western part of Zambia.

Please do check some of the testimonies from the brothers here. I will send more testimonies.

Thank you for everything.

Michael

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Comparison of Free Bible Study Software

Brian Ward (MAF LT staff, based in Nampa Idaho) reviewed some of the free Bible study software available online.  The results of his review are below:

Top Choices:

  1. xulSword code.google.com/p/xulsword www.ibt.org.ru/english/bible/info_bible_en.htm
    Top choice for reading and general study
  2. TheWord www.theword.gr
    Top choice for advanced study and for creating custom modules
  3. BPBible bpbible.com
    Top choice for distribution on USB due to Portable Apps installer

Key Features compared to DigiStudy:

    xulSword BP Bible The Word DigiStudy
    1. Ability to Import Bibles and books from common formats The Sword Project
    crosswire.org/sword

    Perl scripts for converting from SFM to OSIS and from OSIS to SWORD

    The Sword Project crosswire.org/sword E-Sword www.e-sword.net
    Unbound unicode Bibles unbound.biola.edu (click downloads) &
    Zefania XML sourceforge.net/projects/zefania-sharp/files with importer tool
    No
    2. Ability to create own books from RTF formating No No Yes with importer tool
    www.theword.gr/index.php?article.tools
    No
    3. Use common formats as Go Bible Mobile Phone software gobible.blogspot.com Converters to thml Sword Yes (Zefania, Sword) Yes (Zefania) No
    4. Ability to install and run on desktop and USB drive Yes Yes (already a Portable App installer) Yes No
    5. Bibles in many languages and can add more Yes Yes Yes Difficult
    6. Interface in many languages and can add more Yes Yes Yes Yes
    7. Ability to package application with certain modules (especially nice if can set interface language and layout also) Yes ? need to ask ? need to ask Yes
    8. Flexible Interface Yes Yes Yes No
    9. Simple Interface Very Simple Yes No (not without work) Yes
    10. Easily Readable Text Yes, Very Readable
    especially in two-pane mode
    Not as good as others Yes Yes
    11. Double-click or Right-click to define word ?? Right-click Both (actually single-click), also auto-syncs the commentary Both
    12. Double-click or Right-click to search word Double or Right-click Right-click Right-clck Right-click
    13. Ability to View Bible and Commentary/Dictionary/Other Book concurrently Yes, however three at once is not very satisfactory Yes Yes Yes
    14. Ability to Compare 2 or more Bible Versions Yes Yes Yes Yes
    15. Ability to index and search Bibles and other books Yes Yes Yes Yes
    16. Ability to add own notes and cross references Yes Yes Yes Not cross references
    17. Ability to publish user-created commentaries/dictionaries Not very easily, can export to “bookmarks”, but not really satisfactory No Yes, can build commentaries/dictionaries on the fly and then publish them when ready. No

Other software reviewed:

Mac OS Bible Study Software

Other Reviews of Free Bible Study Software:

Concordance Building Software

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Malaria kills

When I travel to Papua New Guinea areas where malaria is known to be present, I always take up a supply of the right pills so I dont fall victim to malaria.  I just read this blog post from the guys flying around the world in an Australian GA8 Airvan, the same plane used in some of the MAF programs:

“One lady told how she had lost three boys and two daughters to malaria, another man spoke of the three children that he had lost to malaria . . . the stories went on and on.  One chap said that until the missionaries came to Malamaunda, they had no access to any medicine due to their remote location, and the death toll each year was in the thousands.  Even now, the villages “close” to Malamaunda are a number of days walk away, and Bob Kennel told how a man had tried to bring his child sick with malaria to the village where Bob was - a three day walk.  After a day’s hike, the child died in the man’s arms and all he could do was return home to bury his little child.  This is happening right now.  As I write this, people here in PNG are dying from malaria . . . only a very short flight away from Australia.  This should not be happening . . . this must not continue to happen.”

Lets not ask “What would I do?

Ask “What can I do, now?”

Imagining myself as that father carrying his sick child rammed home the impact that malaria has.

malariamap png 300x278 Malaria kills


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MAF Learning Technologies – Papua New Guinea

Last month I spent two weeks in Papua New Guinea. My time was split with MAF IT tasks, MAF LT tasks and three days as acting Program Manager for MAF.

While in PNG I met with:

  • PNG Bible Society
  • Leaders from the Baptist Union of PNG
  • Staff from the Christian Leaders Training Centre (CLTC)
  • Staff from New Tribes Mission
  • Staff and management committee of CRMF (Christian Radio Missionary Fellowship)
  • MAF Papua New Guinea Board
  • John Kupp, Senior Pastor PNG Christian Centres
  • Staff from MAF Papua New Guinea

The MAF LT component of my visit was to share with various groups of people the ministry of MAF Learning Technologies.   Continue Reading →

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