Higher Education in the Digital Age

Author: Bowen   William G.  

Publisher: Princeton University Press‎

Publication year: 2013

E-ISBN: 9781400847204

P-ISBN(Paperback): 9780691165592

Subject: G640 higher education theory

Keyword: 文化、科学、教育、体育,教育,经济学EconomicsEducionCulture, Science , Education, Sports

Language: ENG

Access to resources Favorite

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Description

Two of the most visible and important trends in higher education today are its exploding costs and the rapid expansion of online learning. Could the growth in online courses slow the rising cost of college and help solve the crisis of affordability? In this short and incisive book, William G. Bowen, one of the foremost experts on the intersection of education and economics, explains why, despite his earlier skepticism, he now believes technology has the potential to help rein in costs without negatively affecting student learning. As a former president of Princeton University, an economist, and author of many books on education, including the acclaimed bestseller The Shape of the River, Bowen speaks with unique expertise on the subject.

Surveying the dizzying array of new technology-based teaching and learning initiatives, including the highly publicized emergence of "massive open online courses" (MOOCs), Bowen argues that such technologies could transform traditional higher education--allowing it at last to curb rising costs by increasing productivity, while preserving quality and protecting core values. But the challenges, which are organizational and philosophical as much as technological, are daunting. They include providing hard evidence of whether online education is cost-effective in various settings, rethinking the governance and decision-making structures of higher education, and developing customizable technological platforms. Yet, Bowen remains optimistic that the potential payoff is great.

Based on the 2012 Tanner Lectures on Human Values, delivered at Stanford University, the book includes responses from Stanford president John Hennessy, Harvard University psychologist Howard Gardner, Columbia University literature professor Andrew Delbanco, and Coursera cofounder Daphne Koller.

Chapter

Affordability

Is There a Serious Problem—Even a Crisis?

Notes

Part 2. Prospects for an Online Fix

Background

The Lack of Hard Evidence

The Need for Customizable, Sustainable Platforms (or Tool Kits)

The Need for New Mindsets—and Fresh Thinking about Decision-Making

What Must We Retain?

Appendix: The Online Learning Landscape

Notes

Discussion by Howard Gardner

Discussion by John Hennessy

William G. Bowen’s Responses to Discussion Session Comments

Discussion by Andrew Delbanco

Discussion by Daphne Koller

William G. Bowen’s Responses to Discussion Session Comments

INDEX

The users who browse this book also browse