Private Colleges Need Virtual Overhaul

The Internet looks poised to revolutionize the entire "going to college" model as we know it, Zephyr Teachout writes in the Washington Post.

Teachout writes that this school year may be part of the "last generation" of students who understand going to college to be attending class in a physical room and listening to an instructor in person — the business model for private U.S. colleges will continue to suffer in this new economy, much like the newspaper industry.

The education system has already made significant strides toward more online offerings in the past few years. Distance-learning opportunities have increased as many community colleges implemented dorm-free, study-from-home options. A student can already access videotaped lectures and other forms of open educational resources for free online. Teachout estimates that in five or 10 years, students will find dozens of quality online classes, which will allow them to work at their own pace and take tests on their time.

These efforts cost a college less money to provide the same degree to students: Administrators don't need to rent space and shared online materials are cheaper or free. With less funding coming in, Teachout writes, the private college model will not survive.

According to Teachout, "The typical 2030 faculty will likely be a collection of adjuncts alone in their apartments, using recycled syllabuses and administering multiple-choice tests from afar."

For the complete story, visit www.washingtonpost.com.