An emerging model for open courses
Dave Cormier,
Aug 26, 2010
Why offer open courses at all? What's the motivation? This is the question Dave Cormier tried to address at a recent talk, only to be met with "a sea of faces who didn't really get what I was trying to explain." It can be tough. Cormier argues that the reasons include (a) "the value that comes from opening your discussion to the world marketplace," (b) "broad participation and new people to interact with your membership group," and (c) "a chance to have an open debate on important issues in the field." For me, when asked a similar question, I responded that it comes down to access. Traditional university courses simply help people who already have an advantage increase their lead. They help the rich get richer, as they are restricted to people who have qualified to be admitted to university and who can afford to pay the tuition fees. I would much rather spend my time helping people who do not have all those advantages. They have much more to gain, and ultimately, I believe, will have much more to give.
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