How to Start an Online University?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by egam, Jul 2, 2011.

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  1. Dustin

    Dustin Well-Known Member

    I want to get my PhD in the future, and I've also considered doing an EdD on top specializing in online education. I wanted to create a bare-bones university that could award Associates degrees in fields like IT, or other fields basically at-cost, online, to help people from limited means get into the workforce. I'd try to get it nationally accredited by DEAC.

    Then University of the People came along and made my whole plan obsolete!
     
    Rachel83az likes this.
  2. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I had a slightly different idea, Dustin. Years and years ago, as a youngster in England, I had a plan. When I grew up I wanted to start a Great Books-type Uni. that would embody the best of Classics, great writers since and particularly, the proper use of Classical Languages. I envisioned a two-part curriculum of seven courses:

    The Trivium - Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric. To be followed by:
    The Quadrivium - Arithmetic, Astronomy, Music and Geometry

    Then in 1096, along came Oxford University and scooped me entirely! :)
     
  3. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    This may interest you: https://arnoldkling.substack.com/p/white-paper-for-network-based-higher
     
  4. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I started a thread about this and was pilloried for even thinking it.
     
  5. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    You just partner with CourseRA, Straighterline, EdX, Sophia, Saylor Foundations, Udemy, FutureLearn, Udacity, SkillShare, etc. to evaluate for credits toward an Associate and Bachelor's degrees. The only thing you need to convince DEAC or any vocational or regional accreditation agencies for is your school accreditation.

    Actually, it was my capstone idea at Georgetown University to set up an online higher academic institution name, Jamestown University awarding degrees through microlearning. I got a "B" for the effort because the professor disagreed with my idea. But that was 12 years ago...
     
  6. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Why obsolete? The first dog to the bowl doesn't always eat all the food. Sometimes it's better to be second. Ask Burger King. Anything McDonald's does they do, too. But McDonald's is the archetype for fast food, so everyone evokes their name when speaking of the ills of fast food. Note that Morgan Spurlock didn't spend 30 days eating at Taco Bell. And even though Starbucks created the market for foo-foo coffee (earning the nickname "Four Bucks"), Dutch Bros. does a half-billion in sales each year.

    Sometimes it's better to come in later, having learned that the niche is real and from the mistakes of the original operator.
     
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  7. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    Johann,

    1096? You'd just gotten your discharge from King William II, right? I remember putting away the blue paint. Oxford wasn't taking the GI Bill then if I remember correctly.
     
  8. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese?
     
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  9. Rachel83az

    Rachel83az Well-Known Member

    I would love to start a university for students to complete their degrees. But I don't have the time, money, or energy to do so. Alas.
     
  10. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    What? Don't you own a printer?
     
    Rich Douglas likes this.
  11. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I use that in coaching a lot.
     
    SteveFoerster likes this.
  12. AsianStew

    AsianStew Moderator Staff Member

    Same here, I wouldn't mind starting a college or university... I really like @TEKMAN and his idea from a dozen years ago, partnerships where the partner college does the bulk of the work... it should be applicable for today's education! But yeah, those are the basics, and owning a "nicer" printer to print out those diplomas and transcripts. I would try and have it as automated as possible, somewhat like a CBE...
     
    Rachel83az likes this.
  13. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    Make it internet ready. Provide credit card info and address and poof! Shows up in the mail untouched by human hands. All you see is the deposit in your Cayman Islands account.
     
  14. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Then it's entirely possible I got it from your book. :)
     
  15. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I can't recall if it's in there. But if it is, I know I got it from somewhere else!
     

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