Posted on 10/10/2006 1:41:35 PM PDT by Hiddigeigei
A Proposal to Write a Book
"An (Internet) Alternative to College"
Undergraduate College Curriculum of Internet-based Courses for Self-taught Students
I spent four years earning a BA at a fairly good state university back in the early 1950s. Much of what I learned has been forgotten (although I can still recite the first 18 lines of the prologue to the Canterbury Tales). I could have learned (and retained) far more if given a curriculum to follow and access to a good library (and a final comprehensive exam in each subject to keep my nose to the grindstone) instead of the hours spent in classrooms (wishing the class would end). The Alumni Association hasn't forgotten me, though. They found me through the Internet and periodically dun me for money now over fifty years after graduation. Reading about how they're pushing the Islamic agenda, I wouldn't give them a dime.
Now everyone on the Internet has access to practically an inexhaustible source of information. I know there are on-line colleges, but ever these are still fairly expensive. The University of Phoenix is reportedly pretty good and offers a BS in various subjects.
What I am proposing is that Freeper-members (especially those with an higher educational teaching background) join forces to write a book called “An (Internet) Alternative to College.” Each contributor might develop a series of lesson plans in his own discipline (based on Internet resources) as part of a college level curriculum. Those who have already taught for a number of years probably already have lesson plans readily at hand that could serve as starting points for this project. The book would be published like a symposium proceedings where each contributor gets a by-line for his chapter.
Home educated students probably already have the self discipline to work through such a curriculum on their own. Others might work in small groups of five to ten students studying together through email contact. Each could devise questions based on the course curriculum to periodically quiz the others. The groups would have to be large enough so it would continue if one or more dropped out. Periodic essays might be required that would be graded by other members of the study group for factuality, originality, writing style, grammar, etc.
Disciplines covered might include:
English
|
Mathematics
|
Anyone want to add to this list?
Perhaps some preparatory courses should be offered such as:
Touch typing (on a computer)
Rapid reading and comprehension
Comments should not be limited to those with a teaching background. Anyone want to join in this project?
For today's world, add Arabic I and II.
Needs a good Middle East Program that doesn't start at 9/11.
What about Political Science - both US and Interational Affairs.
I suggest a major in Free Republic
Still, I am unsure that any company would hire someone based upon studying by themselves in this manner. Not to say the education wouldn't be good enough, but most employers want more than "I know it, just trust me."
No psych department. I love it.
Better get the Constitution in there somewhere (poly sci?)...Fed Papers, soveriengty, 2nd ammendment, etc.
Constitutional Law.
I think you'd need BROADband.
Various psych courses would be good.
Happy to contribute if this gets very far.
And when I can grabe the time from something else! LOL.
current issue of US News has a cover story about online learning, actually, it looks like four stories:
Textbooks Enter the Digital Era
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/articles/061008/16books.htm
Some Mets Prospects Take a Swing at a Degree
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/articles/061008/16mets.htm
Three Questions You Should Ask About an E-Learning Program
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/articles/061008/16choose.htm
Two Big Lawsuits Roil the E-Learning Community
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/articles/061008/16board.htm
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/images/global/cover/current_cover.gif
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