Higher Education and The Information Age

A requisite for graduation in my masters degree program was to present on a “current issue in higher education.” I chose to highlight the importance of integrating free educational resources into university curriculums to relieve student stress caused by “outdated” teaching methods. The following is an excerpt from my capstone: 

The birth of the internet ushered in a new era of technology; and with it came the exponential growth of efficient information delivery. Fast forward a few decades and we now have unlimited access to every type of educational resource imaginable. What is most remarkable is that these resources can be accessed at zero-cost to the consumer. 

Wikipedia and Google searches aside, virtual libraries chock-full of textbooks, audiobooks, encyclopedias, and scholarly articles are available to anybody with an internet connection. Like it or hate it, YouTube is arguably the most influential educator of modern time. Where else can one learn to bake a cake, build a bomb shelter, fix the car, and watch their favorite episode of The Golden Girls all on a Friday afternoon? Jokes aside, YouTube provides limitless opportunities to explore every subject imaginable, completely free of charge.

Years ago it was imperative for students to invest their energies into reading textbooks, writing notes, and attending long drawn-out lectures. Today, students can access resources online that deliver the same content in a more efficient, captivating, and cost-effective manner. A student enrolled at a community college in Arkansas can attend free courses taught by ivy league professors or Ph.D's all over the world.