Here on The Innovative Educator blog, I’ve been excited about the implications of online learning in general and OER (Open Ed Resource) in particular. I’ve also shared insights from folks like Bill Gates who Says Tech Is The Key to Driving Down College Costs. Additionally, I’ve been critical of the "Generation Debt"-producing “College for All” mantra spoken at K - 12 institutions as I’ve written about in pieces like The College Myth: Why College isn't Worth the Cost for Many Careers Today. I love Will Richardson’s vision of learning who explains why it’s okay if his kids don’t want to got to college this way.
More and more, all I want from my kids’ school is to help me identify what they love, what their strengths are, and then help them create their own paths to mastery of their passions. Stop spending so much time focusing on subjects or courses that “they need for college” but don’t interest them in the least. Help them become learners who will be able to find and make good use of the knowledge that they need when they need it, whether that means finding an answer online or taking a college course to deepen their understanding. And finally, prepare them to create their own credentials that will powerfully display their capabilities, passions and potentials.
While the entire quote is powerful, one part that I’d love to see come to fruition is students creating their own credentials that display their capabilities, passions, and potentials, rather than this being determined by a pre-packaged, expensive college program.
I want more »