Education is not a simple concept anymore. Like a massive volcano about to erupt and transform the teaching terrain as well as the global learning atmosphere, the fires in education are igniting key issues we need to address as a society: education for whom, when, and where? Who deserves to get it for free or at a discount? When should we take into account economic status, nationality, ethnic background, gender, special needs, and learning styles? Where should learning take place: in the classroom, in the cloud, at home, at work? (more…)
Today’s students are not experiencing the same thing. Textbook prices have skyrocketed since the 1980s. And in the 1990s, the problem was exacerbated by publishers who tried to squelch the used textbook market by putting out new editions of books every 18 months instead of once every six years, as had been the tradition since the 1950s. Even more frustrating for students has been that as prices continued to increase, faculty would still require students to purchase an expensive textbook but then only use a third of the chapters. (more…)
In the past, those in the academy have been reluctant to quantify the value of a college education. In fact, it has long been argued that academic inquiry and other intangibles are what have made the college experience so valuable. While some might disagree with that claim, the reality is that in order for our system of higher education to survive in this era of limited funding and escalating costs, we need to prove that students are learning and that our colleges and universities are capable of driving innovation and creative thinking.
Today’s disruptive changes in education — from the proliferation of digital devices to the availability of open educational resources, online universities, and badge-based certification — have the field abuzz like never before. Recently I had the opportunity to give a talk at WNET’s Celebration of Teaching and Learning on creating the conditions for innovation in education. (more…)
Next Wednesday, January 11th, from 6:30pm-8:30pm, the Internet Archive and ISKME will co-host a conversation that explores the concept of custom schooling, which is a model of individualized teaching and learning experienced in class sizes of one to four students. (more…)
