HI, Jim
Thanks for having forwarded this article.
As you have often reminded me, the best way to judge questions of technology is to forget about the technology for a moment and ask the same question about an issue in the traditional, face-to-face world.

Whether we’re offering education online or face to face, good education requires, I believe, an investment of planning and appropriate personnel.

The best education will be offered by administrators and faculty who have a vested interest in the educational outcome of specific students.  I use the word “vested” purposefully, since one cannot become vested without the passage of time.  Good education requires an investment of time in the planning of curricula and the truthful, pragmatic assessment of education outcomes.  

It’s possible to offer a degree that lacks this investment, but strong educational outcomes will be difficult to achieve without such personal, honorable commitment.  It’s possible to grant degrees to students who have not been well educated, but this lack of adequate education for our students must inevitably result in a weakening of our culture, our society, our standard of living, the very quality of life.

We need to do whatever is necessary to encourage those who have power in the educational and governmental world to make sure that we make available to all a very high standard of education.  The alternative is to accept the mob rule that is already making itself forcefully known.

Sorry for the lengthy statement.  As always, you’ve identified an important issue. Thank you.
Janet
 
Dr. J. Nepkie
SUNY Distinguished Service Professor
Professor of Music and Music Industry
State University College
Oneonta, NY 13820
tele: (607) 436 3425
fax:   607 436 2718
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From: Jim Greenberg <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Teaching Breakfast List <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:21:19 -0400
To: <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
Subject: What Do You Think?

TBers,

The Washington Post ran an article (see http://tinyurl.com/q947pg) about a topic that I hear about more and more... that technology will ultimately spell doom to the traditional College.  What do you think about all this?  I tend to be a bit skeptical, but ....

Mr. James B. Greenberg
Director Teaching, Learning and Technology Center
Milne Library
SUNY College at Oneonta
Oneonta, New York 13820

blog: The 32nd Square at http://32ndsquare.blogspot.com
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