summary

Mini challenge summary

Summary: The future of higher education in a digital world and the phenomenon of “free” online learning.
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1 – 1.5 hours

Start here

web resources

Stimulus resources

Future challenges facing higher education
Anya Kamenetz is an American journalist and author of several books, including: Generation Debt and DIY U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs, and the Coming Transformation of Higher Education. The following TEDxAlanta video summarises key themes relating to the future challenges of higher education.

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The phenomenon of “free” learning

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Note: Feel free to annotate any of the following webpages using the OERuLida101 group on Hypothes.is – remember to tag your annotations or replies using the course code: LiDA101)

Alternate credentialing

objectives

Purpose

The purpose of this mini challenge is to:

  • Reflect on the future of higher education in a digital world in the context of rising costs of study and access to educational opportunities around the world.
  • Consider the impact and relevance of “free” online learning opportunities and alternative credentialing models for future employment.
  • Identify the implications of the changing landscape in higher education with regards to academic and study skills.
  • Share your views by participating in an online discussion on these issues.

Tasks

  1. Find out what the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary (or post secondary) education means and scan this ratio for a few countries you know.
  2. Visit the UNESCO Institute for Statistics website and:
    • Establish the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for your own country
    • Identify two low income countries from the developing regions of the world and note their gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education
    • Identify two two high income countries from highly industrialised regions of the world and note their gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education
    • How do these rates compare to your own country?
  3. Consult your notes from watching Anya Kamenetz’s TEDxAtlanta talk. Note, this presentation was recorded in 2010 and provides the opportunity to reflect on the probability of Anya’s predictions taking into account developments since the recording was made.
  4. Explore the phenomenon of “free” online learning by consulting a few of the stimulus resources above.
  5. Consider the impact of alternate credentialing in higher education.
activity

Z-degree annotation activity

Read one or both of the following articles published by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, a major funder behind the OER movement:

Actions

  1. Log in to Hypothes.is and post annotations or replies.
  2. Remember to tag your annotations or replies using the course code: LiDA101 (The course tag is required to harvest posts for the course feed.)

Outputs

discussion

Future of higher education in a digital age

Purpose
The purpose of this activity is to have an open discussion on the future of higher education in a digital age taking into account the rising costs of education and lack of access in many parts of the world.

Instructions
Post your thoughts on this topic on the forums.oeru.org site. You are encouraged to “like” compelling posts and to reply to contributions from your peers. Issues to consider and share on the forum include:

  • What are your thoughts on Anya Kamenetz’s TEDxAtlanta talk on the DIY U? Published in 2010, what is the probability of these predictions becoming reality taking the advantage of hindsight into account? Do you disagree with any of Anya’s assertions?
  • Will the phenomenon of “free learning” succeed in addressing the challenges of rising costs and lack of access to higher education? Think about advantages and disadvantages.
  • Will alternate credentialing increase your prospects for future employment?
  • What are the implications of this changing landscape in higher education for your own academic skills and those of future learners?
  • Other?