I just saw the commercial below by Kaplan University, which declaims “it’s time to use technology to rewrite the rules of education.” Looks like they are trying to catch the open education strategy wave the Mises Institute is already riding (and helping to create; see Mises.org on iTunes U; The Intellectual Revolution Is in Process; A Theory of Open). Good for them!
Source link: http://blog.mises.org/11442/kaplan-university-its-time-the-university-adapted-to-students/
Kaplan University: It’s Time the University Adapted to Students
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That is really inspiring. It makes one wonder if the whole student protest movement of the 60s, however confused, had a certain point to it after all.
The actor is apologizing for the wrong things. He should be apologizing for being part of a socialist scheme that is education in the USA today. The government at all levels provides stolen booty for the education system to keep going without innovating and without caring about its consumers.
Note that the ad does not mention the money from government. Stop the money coming in from government and you will see innovation in education far beyond this.
What about the affiliation of Kaplan with the Washington Post?
Since it probably is a propaganda tool I would classify Kaplan as training centers rather than as centers of education. Sure people receive training to enter the job market but they are not educated about the destruction of civilization by the ego-driven interventionists or the ego-driven interpreters.
In other words, the model of minimal obsolete buildings (and such) is good but the ‘educational’ model lacks the true essence of education which is nurturance of the independent investigation of truth.
Compared to the ‘dinosaurs’ that have outworn features of both a wasteful capital structure combined with lacking the true essence of education (which is nurturance of the independent investigation of truth) this is an improvement.
It cannot compare to the educational potency of the Mises Institute. Other models of true education will surely blossum in classical liberalism societies, unpolluted by the propaganda of the State since the State will be minimal at most.
Kaplan makes their money by convincing people to spend $40k on a degree (using a business model designed to milk as much as possible from federal loan programs) which offers the student little chance of any return on their investment.
People are stupid for not doing their research and getting roped into this, considering there are now hundreds of community colleges which offer the same credentials via distance learning for 1/10 of the tuition. You can even take Harvard classes online for less than Kaplan charges.
Also, they are not “open” in any sense–they carefully guard their IP (lectures, delivery format, etc.)
So, while the commercial was interesting and the ills it described were accurate, Kaplan is very much part of the problem and should not be lauded.
Mises U and other open format (and free) materials will have an impact on the future of education. What we really need (among other things) is a well respected private accrediting body to offer some kind of certification for self-taught individuals. We have this in a small way now with CLEP tests, but those subject areas are limited and you still need to take many actual classes to qualify for a degree.
Students need to become more educated about education. The college model has been stagnant because few are willing to look beyond it to fill their needs. The prospect of borrowing against your future self to party for four years is still very attractive to young people, and “non-traditional” students (and employers) are still hung up on the idea that the only measure of education is an accredited college “degree.” There are many opportunities for innovation, but no incentive if consumers continue to follow the old model. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Don’t forget about the best of the best – MIT Open Courseware
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm
I certainly wish I had other options, college is such a racket.
Kaplan is pretty much the exact opposite of what you want in a University. One of the biggest problems today is not that Universities are bad, but rather too many people go (and think they need to). ITT tech is a far better idea for those thinking it is worthwhile to attend a low end educational institution. Learning a real hands on skill cannot be done online, and that is what people considering Kaplan likely need.
Having taken courses from Kaplan, (insurance license) they absolutely suck at creating content. Anything you can learn online is likely something that ought to be free. Not because it is not valuable, but because the same benefit is available elsewhere for free.
Kaplan is in the business of exploiting the subsudized market for useless credentials…. See More
So, for online education, stick with mises.org, you will learn a lot more, and it will cost you far less.
ITT Tech is worse than Kaplan. I’ve worked for ITT in admissions. At least Kaplan is fully accredited. ITT Tech is not accredited regionally (so the credits don’t transfer) the equipment is out of date and an associates degree costs $40k. Community college is a much, much, better deal.
Uncle Phil?
What a disaster when it comes to customer service this university is. It is very likely they are taking advantage of Veterans by getting them to enroll and then making it very difficult to withdraw.
“taking advantage of Veterans by getting them to enroll and then making it very difficult to withdraw.”
…sounds just like another institution that veterans should be familiar with.
I have been attending Kaplan University for almost one year now. I am pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Health Specializing in Epidemiology. With only one term left my current GPA is 4.0.
I have had nothing but problems with this University from them posting my payments to the wrong month resulting in their collections department calling me every day from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. They have the worst phone system. It takes on average from forty five minutes to one hour on hold just to get through to the department you need. Then once you reach a person they transfer you several times because they do not know what they are doing resulting in a total of being on the phone with them for up to two hours from start to finish. I have sent emails to several classmates asking if they have had the same or simular problems which they have. You do not receive refund checks until at least half the term if not longer is over. They are terrible about book vouchers. I can’t even begin to tell you how many emails of sent inquiring about various issues with no response. They just ignore you. Last week I received an invitation to join there Sigma Beta Honor Society. Today I received an email that they regret that they sent me that email in error and are rescinding their invitation due to only certain graduate programs can apply to honor society not my program.
To all of you considering joining Kaplan University online do your homework. Research this University and ultimately form your own opinion. My personal opinion knowing what I know now I wouldn’t apply to Kaplan University if it was the last University on this earth. I only have one term left or I would apply elsewhere. It is with much regret that I will have to say that I obtained my Masters degree from this University!!
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