Discussion of the future of the university conducted at Online Educa Berlin by Gilly Salmon of the University of Leicester.
What should change? I suggested no tenure, no grades, no classes, no departments, campus rotation, and loosely configured multidisciplinary teams focused on solving the world’s problems. I was not alone. The group was up for change. Thanks to Gilly for sparking an animated discussion!
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Jay, Great to learn these from you. I like the ideas, and would think this is also a good time for changes from a systemic point of view – in particular to focus on the learner’s needs on learning, and to build on an educational system paradigm shift that embraces a multidisciplinary learning focus.
What forms of test beds would help? Would it be similar to the open courses that have been promoted? Would Courses such as CCK08 be a start? I enjoyed the CCK08 and think it has established some guidelines and milestones for others to follow suit. And I have read your previous post on praising its success.
What were the reactions of the professors and administrators of the universities in the conference? I would be interested in learning more on their perspectives too. Renewed thanks for the information.
I believe there is a great market opportunity to challenge the traditional university education, at least in the UK. There is no doubt that the current, non-vocational 3 year degree in England poorly serves most of the learning population, particularly now they have to pay all of their own fees. For many, 3 years pass, £20,000 in debt is gained and job chances increase marginally. I regularly interview English graduates with First-class degrees from top universities who have spent the last year working at Costa or Starbucks. It breaks my heart. Two thoughts: (1) can a university offer a 2 year ‘compressed’ degree – same as now but with the holidays removed. OR, a 1 or 2 year degree with less covered but a stronger vocational focus (effectively the need served by the old polytechnic system). I’d also be interested to see if large organisations could start to offer degree-style programs. E.g. the Toyota engineering foundation degree – but aimed at anyone who pays. The challenge is to think how to make these things credible, but I don’t see that as a hurdle that can be, um, jumped over. Currently, a formal university education is too long, too expensive and too unfocused. I really hope something gets done.
Mindful
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