There are currently discussions underway concerning a new
online university based in Florida
that might be opened to the public, under the name “Online U”, and if
all goes well, this institution will be added to the 12 universities
that have already been established in the area. With universities such
as MIT and Harvard already opening up their courses to online students,
the stigma associated with online qualifications is set to be
overturned. Institutions such as this are coming as a breath of fresh
air due to the rising need of education within all professional fields,
as well as the costs associated with the construction of building
land-based institutions to accommodate all those that would like to
further their prospects through higher education. While the decision to
establish “Online U” has not yet been finalized, professionals have been
brought together to begin discussing how to turn this concept into a
reality.
The Parthenon Group Of Boston
The Parthenon Group Of Boston has been brought together this month to begin discussions on how to go about establishing the
online university,
and some are saying that it might be a good idea to collaborate with
institutions such as the University of South Florida, Florida State
University and University Of Florida so that they can contribute some of
their courses to this venture. The supporters of the online educational
world are considering this move to be groundbreaking, in terms of
education.
Shaping The Future Of Education
According to Professor Matt Hintze of the University of Florida,
there has not been a change such as this in education “since the
invention of the printing press.” Mr. Hintze is one of the members of
the board that is currently discussing the way forward with regards to
the online university.
What The Critics Have To Say
While there are many that are very excited about this prospective new
venture, others still have lukewarm feelings about it, including the
University Of South Florida professor Sherman Dorn, who believes that
the university’s current online resources are “excellent” and he feels
that they shouldn’t be ignored. He doesn’t believe that an online
institution will have the same feel as a land-based establishment,
especially in terms of “community identity”. According to a census
conducted on the matter, which included over 4,500 lecturers, more than
half felt “more fear than excitement” at the prospect of online
learning. Others feel that the outcomes might be “inferior” and
therefore the same qualifications will not equate, in terms of
standards, to a qualification obtained from a land-based institution.
Embracing The Future Of Education
While there might be mixed feelings between faculty members, it seems
clear that something needs to be done about the growing need for higher
education and many feel that online opportunities will open the doors
for those who would not have otherwise been able to enter university. It
remains to be seen how this new “Online U” will affect the way that
people think about education, as well as the opportunities that will be
made available to the public through the institution, but it appears as
if it is all steam ahead.
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