Along with the /. post mentioned by Jason, is Bob Cringely’s discussion on outsourcing education.
What is the emphasis on in-person education from specific professors? I’ve been asked for my transcript professionally once – and that’s because my current employer pays more attention to grades than technical aptitude.
I can recall only a small handful of professors I would want to take classes with, and almost none who I actually got one-on-one time with while in school. (I think there was only ever one, Dale Bryant @ HVCC.)
MIT, Berkeley, and myriad other schools are making their lectures available online for free. Hundreds of schools have podcasts of classes and special events.
So, why DO we insist on graduating from “the school” – and not learning what we can and want, when and where we can and are able?
A lot of the value of a diploma is that it provides some proof that you can make a plan and stick with it long enough to accomplish a tangible goal, even when presented with adversity. It’s as much of a statement of character as it is a list of courses completed.
An a-la-cart education does not provide any proof to me, as an employer, that you won’t just go off on your own and abandon my project when it gets tough, just because you want to learn about the next new shiny thing.
Alan Porter
Good point, Alan – certainly a diploma does show some level of stick-to-it-iveness
But I’ve found that, in my personal experience, those who are interested and have learned in the U of HK have done better at thinking on their feet and responding to new environments.
Too often I’ve personally seen people thinking that the Way To Do It is the Only Way To Do It. Most of the kids I went to school with were like that, sadly. Maybe it’s just I’ve had a weird experience – but it’s what I’ve observed 🙂
My degree hasn’t gotten me looked at ever (that I know of) as a candidate for employment – it’s always been work experience and what I do in my spare time for “fun” that has.