Conflicting Purposes of Education: Will Improving Access to Higher Education Undermine Quality?

Overview & Synopsis

This paper ties technologies used in education to purposes of education by correlating technologies with structures and structures with purposes. The paper begins with an exploration of the history of higher education structures, showing how technological innovation is a key component of major improvements in access to education. Next, the debate between advocates and critics of online education is considered against the backdrop of the three purposes of education: creating of an educated citizenry; resolving social inequities; and making educational systems more efficient. Finally, a vision of using online technology as a unifying influence is presented, bringing the three purposes of education into accord to support individual learners. Highlights include individualization of instruction and guidance, interactions among students and teachers, improvements in pedagogy, issues of equity, and a new model, called "Education for One," that includes five components: expanding access to education; the realization that one-size-fits-all curricula limit the effectiveness of education; the individualized nature of instruction; time and place independence of students and teachers; and cultivation of an academic community that is parallel to and integrated with the parent institution. Contains 17 references. (MES)