DIY U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs, And The Coming Transformation Of Higher Education (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
A sharp-tongued look at higher education that pulls no punches. It's like someone shouting to the crowds; "Look, the emperor has no clothes!" Despite the sarcastic and bleak picture the book paints however, underlying each chapter and the book as a whole, there is a message of hope and an inspiration to take action. An excellent read for anyone involved in higher education from the prospective student, to the tenured professor. Disclosure: In the interests of full disclosure I am an admissions representative for a selective school (not a tier 1 Ivy, Stanford, MIT, Cal Tech, ect) but a tier 2 so I am a firm believer in the value of a selective school education, the contacts and experiences that you get and the cost behind it.DIY U provides an interesting look at a possible transformation in the world of higher education through technology and open source sharing that can lead to a degree to certification. The first half of the book takes a look at the failing system of higher education looking at graduation rates, debt ratios and soaring costs to attend college. It looks at the admissions systems, financial aid processes and strive to build the newest and best equipment for student services that are demanded by today's college consumers. After assessing what she considers the flaws in higher education she goes on to suggest the ways in which people are addressing and creating new opportunities. She breaks these new opportunities into two classes of people such as Edupunks who are those that want to revolutionize the system and not in for a profit. They look to provide mostly course content and information sharing in new and different ways. The edupreneurs look to provide these services to make a profit and look to end of sale services such as the degree or certification.Much of what this book comes down to is students doing research about what is right for them. From finding out the certifications required in their fields to learning what each field is about. While I can agree with that basic argument the problem comes that that the majority of students do not do that research especially the ones who need it the most. Even in high schools that have the resources for career counseling the students who are not going to college take advantage of it. Providing it through social media as the author suggests may be an effective way to go. As I have done my job I have been amazed at the number of students who want to be a forensic crime scene investigator but have never taken chemistry in high school and have no idea their curriculum will be comprised of primarily science courses. Overall you see a trend that alternative education methods enhance learning which can be adapted in not only the brick and ivory towers but for profit ventures which dominate the federal aid market. This is commonly adapted in higher education although not taken to the extreme here.Overall DIY U provides the extreme version that higher education may move towards. While we see it lurching in this direction the more that traditional schools adopt these policies the less likely a revolution will be to occur and one may not be necessary if these tactics can improve upon the traditional educations. The first half of the book is a well done look at how higher education is falling apart and the second half provides one version of how to fix it although one that is in the extreme direction of thinking and requires bigger steps than have been taken so far. Worth the time if you are interested in higher education.
What do You think about DIY U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs, And The Coming Transformation Of Higher Education (2010)?
Fascinating book with all sorts of stats I didn't know about higher ed. Lots of resources too.
—michellejane
An interesting take on the technological transformation of higher education.
—Kelly
Frist meantion in print I'd seen of ' Generation Dumbshit ' ~
—Whitlie
Has its moments but not particularly mind blowing,
—Cburt78
