Introduction
In "The End of College," Kevin Carey presents a vision for the future of higher education that challenges the traditional model of universities. He argues that the current system is failing students and society, and proposes a radical transformation through the concept of the "University of Everywhere." This new model leverages technology to make high-quality education accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any time.
Carey's book comes at a time when the American higher education system is facing numerous challenges. Rising costs, high dropout rates, and questionable learning outcomes have led many to question the value of a traditional college degree. Against this backdrop, Carey envisions a future where online resources and digital platforms revolutionize how we think about and access higher education.
The Current State of Higher Education
A System in Crisis
Carey begins by highlighting the shortcomings of the current higher education system in the United States. He presents some alarming statistics:
- Less than 40% of enrolled students graduate within the standard four-year timeframe
- Two-thirds of students haven't graduated even after six years
- According to the 2014 census, 35 million Americans over 25 have dropped out of college
These numbers paint a picture of a system that is failing to meet its primary objectives. But it's not just about completion rates. Carey also points to studies showing that many students aren't developing critical skills during their time in college:
- After two years of college, 45% of students showed no advancement in critical thinking, communication, and analytical reasoning
- Even after four years, 46% of students made no significant progress in these areas
The High Cost of Education
Adding insult to injury, the cost of higher education has skyrocketed. Carey uses MIT as an example, where annual tuition is $42,000, with an additional $15,000 needed for books, accommodation, and living expenses. Even less prestigious schools can leave students with a total bill of around $100,000 for a bachelor's degree.
This combination of high costs and questionable outcomes has led to a crisis in higher education, with many questioning whether the traditional college experience is worth the investment.
The Evolution of Universities
To understand how we arrived at this point, Carey takes readers on a journey through the history of universities.
The First Universities
The first university was established in Bologna in 1088, and it was founded by students. In this early model, teachers were hired on strict contracts that prioritized student needs. They could be fined for canceling classes or if attendance was low, indicating that they weren't engaging students effectively.
The Shift in Power
During the Renaissance and Enlightenment, the balance of power shifted. Knowledge became a commodity, and universities began to exploit students' desire for advancement. Professors became the gatekeepers of knowledge, deciding who could enroll and who couldn't.
The University of Paris, the world's second-oldest university, exemplified this shift. Professors organized themselves into faculties based on disciplines like canon law, theology, and medicine. Universities began to market themselves as superior products, partly by accumulating large collections of expensive, hand-copied books.
The Impact of the Printing Press
Surprisingly, the invention of the printing press in the 15th century didn't significantly alter this power dynamic. While books became more widely available and affordable, universities maintained their position as the primary sources of knowledge and guidance. Students still needed instruction from educated individuals, and universities had concentrated all the intellectual resources within their walls.
The American University Model
The university model was exported to the United States, with Harvard College (later Harvard University) established in 1636. By 1765, there were nine colonial colleges in America. Unlike in England, where universities were controlled by national authorities, American colleges developed as private institutions under loose state oversight.
The Three Founding Principles of American Universities
Carey identifies three key principles that guided the development of American universities:
The Land Grant University: Established by the 1862 Morrill Land-Grant Act, these institutions focused on training the working classes in agriculture and mechanical arts. They were job-oriented schools for the industrial age.
The Research University: Based on the ideas of Wilhelm von Humboldt, this model prioritized scholarly research to advance human knowledge. Students were expected to learn by observing and assisting these scholars.
The Liberal Arts University: Inspired by Cardinal Newman of Britain, this model aimed to disseminate universal knowledge and develop well-rounded individuals with broad-based knowledge rather than specialized expertise.
American universities typically incorporated elements from all three models, creating a hybrid approach.
The Hybrid University Model
Charles William Eliot's Vision
Charles William Eliot, president of Harvard University from 1869 to 1909, played a crucial role in shaping the modern American university. He believed that students should develop foundational skills in observation and contemplation before specializing in specific fields.
Eliot's model introduced the general bachelor's degree as a prerequisite for professional or graduate studies. This degree covered a broad range of subjects, including English, foreign languages, mathematics, philosophy, and sciences. The curriculum was flexible, allowing students to choose their courses of study.
The Creation of an Education Market
Eliot's system spread to other universities, creating a thriving market for undergraduate education. Universities competed to attract students by hiring prestigious professors, building extensive libraries, and developing world-class departments.
However, this expansion had unintended consequences. The largest and wealthiest universities became gatekeepers, restricting access to affluent students. This led to the creation of a two-tier system in American higher education.
The Flaws in the Current System
Research Over Teaching
Carey argues that the hybrid university model is fundamentally flawed because it prioritizes research over undergraduate teaching. He points out several issues:
- Teaching faculty, often doctoral candidates or recent PhDs, receive little to no training in how to teach undergraduates
- Academic staff are rewarded for research and publications rather than effective teaching
- Positive teaching evaluations have little impact on a professor's career advancement
High Costs and Poor Outcomes
Despite the lack of focus on undergraduate education, attending college has become incredibly expensive. Carey highlights the disconnect between the high costs students pay and the limited learning they often receive due to poor teaching standards.
The University of Everywhere
Against this backdrop of a flawed and expensive system, Carey introduces his concept of the "University of Everywhere."
What is the University of Everywhere?
The University of Everywhere is Carey's vision for the future of higher education. It's a model where free online courses are available to everyone, accessible 24/7 from anywhere in the world. This approach aims to democratize education, making it available to all regardless of wealth or geographic location.
Advantages of the University of Everywhere
Accessibility: Education becomes available to anyone with an internet connection, breaking down geographical and financial barriers.
Flexibility: Students can learn at their own pace, rewatching lectures, pausing for reflection, or fast-forwarding through familiar content.
Cost-effective: Without the overhead of physical campuses, education can be provided at a much lower cost or even for free.
Scalability: Online platforms can reach millions of students simultaneously, far more than traditional universities.
Challenges of the University of Everywhere
Carey acknowledges that this model isn't without its drawbacks:
Lack of face-to-face interaction: The absence of direct student-teacher relationships could impact the learning experience.
Limited customization: Teachers may struggle to tailor the learning experience to individual students' needs in real-time.
Self-motivation: Students need to be more self-directed in their learning, which may be challenging for some.
The Author's Experience
To illustrate the potential of the University of Everywhere, Carey shares his personal experience taking an online biology course through edX, an online learning platform created by MIT and Harvard. He describes how he could pause, rewind, or fast-forward lectures as needed, demonstrating the flexibility of this learning model.
The Future of Higher Education
Carey argues that the University of Everywhere is not just a futuristic concept but a reality that's already taking shape. He points to the growing number of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and online degree programs offered by prestigious institutions as evidence of this shift.
Democratizing Knowledge
One of the most significant benefits of the University of Everywhere is its potential to democratize access to knowledge. By removing geographical and financial barriers, it could make high-quality education available to people who have been historically excluded from traditional universities.
Lifelong Learning
The flexibility of online learning also supports the concept of lifelong learning. In a rapidly changing job market, the ability to continuously update skills and knowledge becomes increasingly important. The University of Everywhere model makes it easier for people to engage in ongoing education throughout their careers.
Challenges to Traditional Institutions
As online education becomes more prevalent and accepted, traditional universities will face increasing pressure to justify their high costs and demonstrate their value. Carey suggests that many current institutions may struggle to adapt and could potentially close.
The Role of Credentials
The rise of online education also raises questions about the future of credentials. As alternative forms of education become more common, employers may need to reconsider how they evaluate job candidates' qualifications. This could lead to a shift away from traditional degrees towards more specific skill-based certifications.
Implications for Society
The transformation of higher education that Carey envisions has far-reaching implications for society as a whole.
Economic Impact
By making education more accessible and affordable, the University of Everywhere could help address issues of income inequality and social mobility. It could also lead to a more skilled workforce, potentially boosting economic productivity.
Global Competition
As geographical barriers to education break down, competition for knowledge and skills could become increasingly global. This could lead to a more level playing field in the international job market, but also increased competition for workers in developed countries.
Cultural Shift
The move towards online, self-directed learning represents a significant cultural shift. It challenges traditional notions of what education looks like and could change societal attitudes towards learning and personal development.
Preparing for the Future
While Carey is optimistic about the potential of the University of Everywhere, he acknowledges that realizing this vision will require significant changes in how we approach education.
Rethinking Pedagogy
Educators will need to adapt their teaching methods to the online environment, finding new ways to engage students and facilitate learning without face-to-face interaction.
Developing New Technologies
Continued technological innovation will be crucial to improving the online learning experience. This could include advancements in virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and adaptive learning systems.
Ensuring Quality
As education becomes more decentralized, ensuring the quality and credibility of online courses will be a key challenge. New systems for evaluating and accrediting online education may need to be developed.
Addressing the Digital Divide
While online education has the potential to democratize access to knowledge, it also risks exacerbating existing inequalities if access to technology and high-speed internet is not addressed.
Conclusion
In "The End of College," Kevin Carey presents a compelling vision for the future of higher education. He argues that the current system, with its high costs and questionable outcomes, is unsustainable and ripe for disruption. The University of Everywhere, powered by technology and driven by the principles of accessibility and flexibility, offers a potential solution to many of the challenges facing higher education today.
However, Carey's vision is not without its challenges. The transition to this new model of education will require significant changes in how we think about learning, credentialing, and the role of traditional institutions. It will also necessitate addressing issues of technological access and adapting pedagogical approaches to the online environment.
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of the University of Everywhere are substantial. By making high-quality education accessible to anyone with an internet connection, it could democratize knowledge on an unprecedented scale, fostering innovation, social mobility, and lifelong learning.
As we move further into the digital age, it's clear that higher education must evolve. Whether or not Carey's specific vision comes to fruition, his book serves as a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the future of learning. It challenges us to reimagine what education could look like in the 21st century and beyond, pushing us to create a system that truly serves the needs of all learners in our increasingly connected world.