Wiki University
Wiki UniversityWhy not a Wiki University? One which would employ a social fabric which allows for differences in presentation without competitive, hostile and confrontational overloading. This University would not be a single site, but rather a combine of sites which are organized (but not presented) at a central LinkingRepository?. Represented in theWikiUniversity would be Colleges. Each College would represent topics which are normally presented at BrickAndMortarUniversites? as well as topics which are not, employing a scholastic rigor and level similar to that of such Universities. A search facility could be located at this central site which give users the ability to find what they wish to study.
Any number of organizable, coherent subjects could be included in the University, Colleges or Divisions and would include Summary, Goal, and Syllabus which would describe, review, and define the coverage, normal period of time one would take to complete the course. In addition to the presentation of the material, the courses could include interactive demonstrations, reviews, tests, discussion forums, and projects and practical applications.
Some institutions (Brick and Mortar) are beginning to present for free public access, instructional videos as well as past course material for instructional use by individuals
Books are also being made available online for a relatively small feePhilosophy - What Is Learning
Another antithesis is suggested by the two senses of the word "learning." On the one hand, learning is the sum total of what is known, as that is handed down by books and learned men. It is something external, an accumulation of cognitions as one might store material commodities in a warehouse. Truth exists ready- made somewhere. Study is then the process by which an individual draws on what is in storage. On the other hand, learning means something which the individual does when he studies. It is an active, personally conducted affair. The dualism here is between knowledge as something external, or, as it is often called, objective, and knowing as something purely internal, subjective, psychical. There is, on one side, a body of truth, ready-made, and, on the other, a ready-made mind equipped with a faculty of knowing -- if it only wills to exercise it, which it is often strangely loath to do. The separation, often touched upon, between subject matter and method is the educational equivalent of this dualism. Socially the distinction has to do with the part of life which is dependent upon authority and that where individuals are free to advance.
Present State
One can find courses which present material which is useful, if not complete and which allow a measure of interactivity, but which do not satisfy a user's desires. Some are outlines and provide links limited to those formally enrolled. A WikiUniversity should be open and not impose barriers to entry other than that of registering a user name and the setting of a user password (to allow proper attribution for submissions and to provide a means of tracking learning).
Presentation Format
Courses could be presented in various formats, from that of controlled and fixed format, which cannot be altered, but which can be discussed, to that of wide-open and highly interactive course sessions where material can be questioned, reviewed, enhanced and tested by participants. This would make it possible for varied learning environments which would meet the subject and participants requirements. Some of these sessions could morph into Courses in which the presentation part is frozen into a formal read only form, while retaining read/write discussions and student interactivity.
Entrance Requirements
Entrance to the WikiUniversity should be free.
At the very least, courses should contain:
Convenience and Flexibility
A WikiUniversity can offer the following:
One can open the mind to treasures or trash, A Wiki University can lead one toward the first.
Contributions:
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