Comments on: How long will it take for formal educational institutions to be outmoded? http://www.k12opened.com/blog/archives/142 A blog for reflecting on the opportunities and challenges in open education Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:45:54 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Yama Ploskonka http://www.k12opened.com/blog/archives/142/comment-page-1#comment-441 Yama Ploskonka Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:00:02 +0000 http://www.k12opened.com/blog/archives/142#comment-441 as long as a University degree means something... And until there is no replacement for a basic test of sticky-to-itiveness and basic discipline that a degree sort of proves, if nothing else. Yes, people can educate themselves, but will they be reliable? will they follow directions? especially the silly directives that keep things together? 17 years of staying inside sort of makes the case for that better than none. Of course, we do need creativity, initiative, but when the #12 screw needs to be the one in the #12 hole, not the #13and certainly not the #16, we need people who follow orders. Same if we expect people to follow certain conventions, be it grammar, be it the way to greet and treat each other. Anyway, academia is one of the hardest closed clubs to reform, worldwide, and they've been rather successful in proving themselves necessary, there are many, many jobs you are not allowed in unless you have a degree - no other proof of ability exists. as long as a University degree means something…
And until there is no replacement for a basic test of sticky-to-itiveness and basic discipline that a degree sort of proves, if nothing else. Yes, people can educate themselves, but will they be reliable? will they follow directions? especially the silly directives that keep things together? 17 years of staying inside sort of makes the case for that better than none.

Of course, we do need creativity, initiative, but when the #12 screw needs to be the one in the #12 hole, not the #13and certainly not the #16, we need people who follow orders. Same if we expect people to follow certain conventions, be it grammar, be it the way to greet and treat each other.

Anyway, academia is one of the hardest closed clubs to reform, worldwide, and they’ve been rather successful in proving themselves necessary, there are many, many jobs you are not allowed in unless you have a degree – no other proof of ability exists.

]]>