Calling All Educational Architects!

In the decade since degreeinfo began online education has changed significantly. B&M finally seem to be catching up.



I have a two-fold question about the future.

1. Back in the 70s I read a book that claimed we would be in hoovercrafts by the 21st century. I am still bummed that my ride remains rubberized. With that thought what do you all see as the reality of the changes coming up in the next 10 years?

2. Secondly, picture yourself at the drawing board. What would your ideal online educational experience look like in 10 years?

 

What, you don't have a hovercraft?

I think it would be cool if we could create some sort of virtual reality classroom. VR has gone out of style in recent years, but at least we could do some sort of video conferencing lectures and class discussions. The logistics of it would be difficult, but I think the rewards would be worth the trouble. I know there are some schools that do this and it would seem to me to mitigate some of the criticisms of online education.

 

more OCW and virtual labs accepted

I am not an educational architect, but just a user so this is just a layman’s view. Distance education has evolved for a century or more using various forms of technology (mail, phone, fax, email, interactive online, etc.) and is finally finding greater acceptance worldwide. I think the future of education will contain many more elements of open courseware, including virtual labs, with widely recognized credentials awarded.

When I first attempted a blended engineering degree (distance course work and resident labs) while you were reading of hovercrafts, my employer reluctantly agreed to tuition assistance. The attitude was that it would be a seriously devalued degree because it wasn’t done the traditional way.

 

:irked: No.

That's a cool idea. :headbang:

Show up in the classroom. Say hi to classmates.:slap:

At an appointed time a video lecture begins. Perhaps pre-taped, possibly live.:speechless:

After the lecture form study groups to work on a project.

Following class you could slide down to the Student Union building and connect with students across various disciplines to discover what other classes might be worth taking.

I can see it.:bigeyes2:

Thought-provoking.:notworthy:

 

Thankfully that attitude seems to be changing; albeit slowly.