Lifelong Learning Model

 

Here is a model for making higher education study more relevant to modern needs, and for spreading out the cost of education without reducing quality. With high dropout rates in higher education, is it reasonable to expect students to spend so many years studying full time before they understand the relevance, or otherwise, of what they are learning? As technology accelerates, and technology is increasingly incorporated into course material, the three year degree format becomes a problem. By the time a course is developed, and delivered, and the student completes their degree, what they have learned is out of date. Furthermore, once they leave full time study, how can they return if they have a mortgage and family to sustain? To enable life-long learning this model starts with a transitional full time on-campus year, and then offers courses online and intensive mode (e.g. weekends or holidays) that compliment working life in a way that can be sustained over a lifetime. Students come to campus for a year to: a) learn independent learning, b) establish professional networks, and c) have a great on campus experience. They also get to build relationship with their university and professors. After the induction year most courses would be offered online so the student can choose to either: a) stay on campus studying full time under the work simulator model, or b) get a job and study the same courses part time. There would be less emphasis on knocking-off a degree all at once and more on continuous lifelong study relevant to needs. The material in part time courses are consumed and applied before the ideas go out of date. Universities would get more business overall, and workers get more relevant and sustainable study options. Online courses would offered in achievable and marketable bunches (skill sets) that make the worker more attractive on their CV. Workers accumulate these skills sets over time in a way that meets more immediate needs, but also accumulate over time to form degrees. Employers get workers with more relevant skill sets, and therefore may be much more inclined to sponsor the study. The lifelong learning model may be more convenient, more relevant and result in much better educated population.

Thoughts?
Simon Collyer