Well, the kids are back in school; the fall 2010 semester is underway. Education seems to be in quite a state of flux as it balances traditional practices with the new technologies that we have available to us today, in the interactive age. That is the key word right there… Interactive.
Students are now choosing to watch live streams of lectures rather than attending them in person. They are leveraging online course material to steepen their learning curves and are interacting more readily with professors in the non-judgemental atmosphere that the Web offers. Check out this ReadWriteWeb article for a deeper look into how exactly students are acting differently in their approach to education.
The fascinating thing to me is the fact that the Web can benefit both ends of the spectrum. The gifted individuals can quickly scan over the basics, progressing forward at whatever pace they desire, while those who are struggling can make sure that they understand a concept before moving on. It is now truly possible to individually tailor education to each person.
Another interesting aspect of the Web’s influence on education is showcased in how educational institutions are communicating with students and prospective students. In a very contemporary marketing campaign, the University of Kentucky placed giant wooden pointers all over campus to remind students to check in on Facebook. When students do this, their entire friend network receives a promotion for the school from someone that they trust. The power of this is incredible, and UK has seen drastically increased applications since starting the program.
As with everything, however, there are two sides to the story. Do you think that the E-Learning flexibility that students are allowed is a good thing or a bad thing? Is accountability lowered as a result? Are students who are staying in their pajamas all day and not dialoguing face-to-face with their peers really getting the same quality of education?
We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Chris Gragtmans
