(no subject)

[timelets]

Putting together an online course is quite different from preparing for on-campus lectures: the emphasis is on enabling students to produce a sustained, independent learning effort. The more I work on the project, the more I realize that online courses in general will only help those who are willing to help themselves but don't have access to the right guidance and materials. In short, online education will disproportionately benefit a small self-motivated minority, not the population as a whole. Asians will probably benefit the most because their motivation to study is high.

Historically, we used to rely on fear and hunger to motivate people. We need a new kind of tools to replace them.

Comments

[lm644]

I disagree with your point about the right guidance and materials. The right guidance is, actually, easier to deliver by email than in person; and the materials should not materially differ from a f2f courses...

[timelets]

It probably depends on the materials. The more I get involved in these matters, the more I get a feeling that motivation is going to be most valuable resource for the new generation of students. Today, a motivated person has access to any kind of education, basically, for free.