A very interesting article in The Atlantic Cities considers whether advancing technology will make the traditional college campus obsolete. Online learning allows students access to classes from the very best universities regardless of where they are located. We can't know what the ultimate impact of this will be on the physical form of campus, or whether it will lead the total disappearance of the residential campus as we know it. But surely it will have an impact.

The traditional residential campus is in part a product of the limited transportation technology at the time this education model came to be. Before cars and trains, it was practical for students to live at their school. Most schools now have a substantial commuter student population and many are schools have no on-campus housing.

I think that we are in the very early stage of the development of online learning. We don't yet know what works and what doesn't. However, I happen to believe that the in-person experience matters. It seems to me that in-person meetings are always more productive than conference calls, for example.

Thomas Jefferson designed the University of Virginia to foster student-professor relationships because he felt that his bond with his teachers was central to his education. If that relationship matters, I worry that it is harder to develop online than in person.

I am eager to see how the technology develops and the creative ways people use it. But I suspect that the value of the residential college campus will be appreciated despite advances in technology.

Gates Letter

In his annual letter, Bill Gates ties to dispel myths about foreign aid. The big one, I think, is the misconception that if we succeed in decreasing infant mortality in the poorest countries, the population will balloon. The truth, he says, is that when parents are confident that their children will survive, they tend to have fewer children. This leads to population growth slowing as health improves, with the United Nations' prediction that world population will eventually stabilize.

Trouble with for-profits

Wow. These stories are heartbreaking.

http://www.salon.com/2014/01/25/inside_story_of_a_for_profit_college_nightmare/

Blame?

1. The for-profit schools shouldn't aggressively recruit students who are unlikely to succeed in college.
2. Before enrolling, a student should have a full understanding of the cost of attendance and the time and effort necessary to complete the program. If deciding to enroll, the student should commit to completing the course of study.
3. The federal government should reform its financial aid programs to stop rewarding for-profit colleges that enroll unprepared students.

Hard work

 Dirk Hughes has a sad story.


The sad fucker completed law school in middle age while working full time, and suffers from an early onset heart condition because of stress. His house lost half its value in the market crash. With his heart condition and full-time job, he hasn't been able to pass the bar exam. I feel for the guy.

Like a lot of people, myself included, he fucked around for years as a young adult. He dropped out of college twice. He aspired and failed to become a successful writer. He eventually earned his college degree and became a teacher and then an administrator at one of those for-profit colleges.

I certainly believe in insane hard work to create the life you want. I had a lot of catching up to do after screwing around like this guy. But I was still in my 20s and my body and spirit could handle overnight shifts mixed with school. He pulled that kind of shit in middle age when he had a mortgage and a family.

Life is unfair. It is hard to finish college when you are young and immature, but it is harder when you have adult responsibilities. And pursuing a dream of fame when young can easily jeopardize your future livelihood.

I wish the best for Dirk Hughes. I hope that he can find some peace and comfort in his life.

This ain't good

Not really into blogging lately, but this is relevant to previous posts:

Fed Student-Loan Focus Shows Recognition of Growth Risk 
By Caroline Salas Gage and Janet Lorin Jan 15, 2014 10:29 AM ET

Tiffany Roberson works for the state of Texas as a parole officer, teaches part time and is living with her parents after finishing a master’s degree. She’s held off marrying her boyfriend of four years and starting a family because she owes more than $170,000 in federal and private student loans. 

More at Bloomberg