Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could take your favorite classes from your favorite instructors? What if you could get the best economics instructor from the top economics school and then combine that class with the top physics instructor in the country? The Internet has made it possible for consumers to get exactly what they want, now we are making it possible for learners to “shop” for the classes they desire.
I have been peering into my crystal ball for a few years now and watching a future where college students would be able to create their own degree, pulling the best courses from the best schools and the best teachers. Well, now we are finally starting to see just how a system like that might work. There is a new consortium out of the midwest—Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance or GP IDEA (www.gpidea.org). There are currently 11 universities involved. A student selects one of the universities as a “home” school and then they can take classes for credit from any of the other 10 schools.
I support this idea. Maria Montessori, founder of the Montessori teaching tradition, coined the phrase “follow the child.” What she meant by this statement was what many are saying today with phrases such as “follow your bliss” or “follow your heart.” By allowing learners to create and design their own programs of study from a wide range of courses and teachers we are allowing them to follow their passions. We are honoring the unique gifts of each student and letting them express their interests. People perform better when they are doing what they enjoy—they perform better in school, at work, and find more joy in life.
Take a few minutes and remember your favorite teacher and then imagine the impact he or she could have had if given the opportunity to reach more students! What if they could reach outside the walls of your school and share their expertise and enthusiasm with others around the country or even around the world.
I encourage your comments and please share other projects that empower choice in education.
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