This article appears in The Times Higher . Professor Crow explains that ASU now runs in three modalities to reach different groups of learners. While the traditional 'face to face' model is one modality it does not suit everyone and might not be the best for learners.
He calls for greater differentiation between institutions and sensitivity to their place in their local community.
'The disruption caused by Covid-19 is a chance for public universities to truly democratise access to higher education, differentiate their offering and cooperate more deeply with each other.'
There is the chance, in the article, to register for a free conference which looks great. Times look a bit punishing for those of us in Hong Kong though.
Very much agree with the point about life-long learning. A massive revolution just waiting to happen. Enormous implications for the place of universities in the lives of people and society. I think MOOCs, webinars etc are the faintest hint of what is about to happen.
Just to follow up- I would identify the continuing aspirations to be traditional universities in the awful words- “well I don’t really want to teach, I just want to research.” I think that’s grounds for instant dismissal.
Great piece- long overdue to get rid of “the average college [where] faculty sit around in rooms and [wear] dark robes” - not sure there is a place for this now. Traditional notions of the academy have stultified the old universities and fatally obsessed the new. I also like his point on access- Hong Kong is long overdue a wake up on life long learning , in HK if you want to study law and don’t join the LLB at 17 or have another degree to join the JD that’s the end of any hope of studying law at university.