This website will serve as a zero-cost alternative to those that lack the resources to attend traditional brick-and-mortar institutions
I completely agree with the observation that the duct-taping of a few, loosely connected resources to construct an authoritative syllabus / disrupt the existing education system through an online network of autodidacts and mentors is flawed in its very premise. I'm inclined to believe, though, that we're looking at an an early iteration and that the Saylor Foundation's initiative will evolve as feedback pours in.
and, if they are willing, a complement to mainstream education providers.
This seems to be the more practical component of the vision. My personal take: education will not be disrupted by applications that seek to uproot the brick and mortar educational establishment. Rather, platforms will emerge to augment the existing teaching / learning process and help students seek guidance when they need it.
I think the Khan Academy has pretty much set the bar for what an online 'education augmentation platform', if you were, should start out looking like, and the Saylor Foundation would do well to emulate them.
That said, the world really needs a central, well maintained repository for educational content at the college level, so I hope this initiative succeeds.
This website will serve as a zero-cost alternative to those that lack the resources to attend traditional brick-and-mortar institutions
I completely agree with the observation that the duct-taping of a few, loosely connected resources to construct an authoritative syllabus / disrupt the existing education system through an online network of autodidacts and mentors is flawed in its very premise. I'm inclined to believe, though, that we're looking at an an early iteration and that the Saylor Foundation's initiative will evolve as feedback pours in.
and, if they are willing, a complement to mainstream education providers.
This seems to be the more practical component of the vision. My personal take: education will not be disrupted by applications that seek to uproot the brick and mortar educational establishment. Rather, platforms will emerge to augment the existing teaching / learning process and help students seek guidance when they need it.
I think the Khan Academy has pretty much set the bar for what an online 'education augmentation platform', if you were, should start out looking like, and the Saylor Foundation would do well to emulate them.
That said, the world really needs a central, well maintained repository for educational content at the college level, so I hope this initiative succeeds.