The cat’s out of the bag and more and more people are awakening to the fact that a college degree is no longer what it was cracked up to be. If you are convinced, there are a few people who are doing a great job of sharing ideas for alternatives that are less costly, more meaningful, and result in real evidence of demonstrated knowledge that say more about qualifications than numbers on a transcript.
First up is Anya Kamenetz who wrote “The Edupunks’ Guide to a DIY Credential”.
College takes time. College is expensive. College is exclusive.
College is no longer the only way to get a great education.
This guide explains how and is supported by some big hitters like the Gates Foundation and received support from the fabulous Dennis Littky of Big Picture Schools and College Unbound. Here are some of the topics the guide addresses:
How To
- Do Research Online
- Write a Personal Learning Plan
- Teach Yourself Online
- Build Your Personal Learning Network
- Find a Mentor
- Get a Credential
- Demonstrate Value to a Network
Open World (non-accredited, open learning, professional networks)
- Open Content
- Open Social Learning
- Open Learning Institutions
- Dan Diebolt’s independent learning methods
- Reputation Networks
Here is the guide which I am not endorsing as I have yet to read it completely. I am simply offering it as one of a number of resources that are coming out around the topic. Stephen Dowes has a less than favorable review of the guide here.
Source: The Innovative Educator