As the web is converting from 1.0 to more social based 2.0 the next generation of how the web will affect all of our lives is starting to surface. One of the biggest things that will change peoples lives is the amount of free education people will be able to access. I think most people agree that everyone in the world should have access to learn and grow. The question is, as more free learning sources appear, how will this affect Colleges, Universities and continuing adult education?
My theory is more people throughout the world will start learning so as long as your courses and degrees are among the best in the world, you should not suffer any loss of sales. As the world starts to even out and poor and rich alike can learn at the same level, a larger need for advanced training will surface.
Many types of training companies will suffer:
Software training companies will suffer as more free training is uploaded to the web
Big software companies are starting to realize that product education is more effective in selling upgrades than marketing. Because of this they are staring free learning channels like Adobe TV.
The best quality education providers will come out on top
Think about it, the more people learning means that more people will advance their education, this will further separate OK education providers and great ones. Low end education providers might be wiped out by free education.
I believe that high quality technical career education will be the highest growth sector of international education:
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm
http://www.ted.com/
http://w3schools.com/
http://www.open.ac.uk/
http://www.apple.com/itunes/whatson/itunesu.html
tv.adobe.com
how stuff works
youtube
Source:
http://jermvest.com/blog/2009/08/open-education-will-be-great-for-high-quality-education-providers/