In our examination of the scope of distance education, we want to spend a little time talking about what we aren’t doing — or aren’t doing very well. Almost 20% of people older than 25 in the US don’t even have a high school diploma. Is that ok? One in five? Only 23% have a bachelors degree or higher. In the US economy that’s the base level credential that lets you apply for a job. But three out of four people don’t have one. So what? When you finish your MA’s you’ll be part of the rarified group (6%) of the population with an advanced degree.
What does that mean? And how does this apply to the issue of scope in distance education?
It means the majority of the American workforce is unprepared to work in an information economy that requires skills, knowledge, and credentials. As we lose the high-paying manufacturing jobs — as the nature of work in America shifts from an industrial base to a creativity and information base, we’re training people to be good cogs in the wheels of an industry that doesn’t exist even today — let alone tomorrow. Can distance education create the path out?
A couple of years ago, there was a public service announcement — and pardon me if I’m remember this wrong — showing a kid on the “mean streets” being propositioned by a bunch of shady characters. “Psst .. kid .. text books??” one fellow asked as he opened his long coat to show the books inside the lining. Another sat at a Three-Card Monte table and asked if he wanted to learn a little math. A shadowing guy in a store front was shilling for history class. “Step right up, the next show’s about to start, American Revolution right here.. step right up.” As it faded out, the catch phrase at the end was “Stay in school. You can’t get your GED on the streets.”
I remember thinking at the time, “Why not?” What’s so special about being in a school building when it comes to getting the knowledge needed to pass high school? It seems silly to set up a national program for high school diplomas until you remember that 1 in 5 adults is lacking that basic level of credential. Some 20 million adults might benefit from having the ability to do something as simple as get a high school diploma online. Why not?
What ways can you see that some of the technologies that we’re working with could address some kind of really important need? What makes you ask,”Why not?”
September 13th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Can you get your GED credentials on-line? I really never gave it much thought before this blog page! Distant Education could and should benefit so many individuals throughout the world. The government states that “No Child Left Behind” but I hate to inform them that there are many “Adults Left Behind”. I understand that technology is a wonderful tool and can assist in many ways but when it comes to those individuals who don’t have their GED; would technology help them any more in getting the necessary credentials to be a part of society? I have to stop and ask myself are these individuals that need that personal interaction to be successful or was that their problem in the first place?
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:48 am
[...] might online delivery accomplish that geographically based programs cannot. Here’s one idea: Why NOT? In our examination of the scope of distance education, we want to spend a little time talking about [...]
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:20 pm
[...] phaedrus » Blog Archive » Why NOT?. [...]
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I think it would be awesome if getting a GED was available online. There are some very smart and capable people out there who would love the opportunity and perhaps be more willing to complete their GED if it was online. I remember when I was young that a high school diploma made a person employable, but now that will get you employed at a fast food restaurant which is hardly enough income to have a family.
As far as the why nots I thought for awhile and could probably still be thinking of more why nots. Here are some of the why nots that I thought of.
Why not advertise online programs more, through billboards, workshops, etc to get these programs some recognition? There are many people that don’t even realize that such programs are offered.
Why not have all schools offer online Bach. degrees?
Why not have cheaper online classes so that more high school aged students can take them?
Why not make the GED easier to pass? I have looked at the test prep booklets and I would bet that many high school graduates couldn’t pass it.
Why not offer more government grants for online programs?
Why not expand information technology training skills as part of the unemployment process?
Why not offer programs created for completion and learning instead of being focused on a grade? People take classes to learn, not to worry about passing a test.
Why not offer online certificate programs in technology fields that can easily be transitioned into a higher/more progressive education?
Why not do something about the high school curriculum so that creativity and technology careers are looked at as favorably as college prep courses.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Distance education only creates a path. It is up to the individual to walk it. I have grown cynical about those who have chosen to be un-educated. If they actually went down the path that fixed their problems, what then would they have to complain about. Ruby Payne’s research into generational poverty and how to develop methods that address getting people into jobs that provide skills and the ability to reach out of the rut they’re in and into the real world would definitely apply, but some of the methods they suggest would take so much adjustment on the part of the establishment that it would never happen, as much as I would want it to. There are too many old white dudes tied to books pencils and paper in the educational establishment that it would take a generational die-off of the old guard in order to affect real positive change in the delivery methods of educational systems to address the changes that we’re about seven steps behind in addressing.
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:03 pm
I think that people should be able to get their GED online. This would give them more of an opportunity to better themselves. Who knows–their decision to quit school may have been beyond their control and after you get older going back to get a high school degree is pretty much unheard of. It is not like being a nontraditional student in college. I really thought that Elizabeth’s questions were insightful and I do agree with her on these issues. I think our education is definitely going more towards a technological age. I don’t think everything will be completely online, but I do think that students would benefit from taking classes online-even if it is just classes that interest them and they will not be given credit for.
My biggest question doesn’t really relate to online learning. As most of us read on Carmella’s recent post (if not, it is very interesting)–why do we base education as we do today??
September 11th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
[...] via phaedrus » Blog Archive » Why NOT?. [...]
September 13th, 2009 at 8:05 am
I think that making the GED available online would benefit many adults. I know that by having classes available online for Master’s program has made it easier to attain for me. The convenience of working from home, without commuting, and working around my family’s schedule, makes it easier to reach my goal. I’m sure these same reasons would also assist others while taking online courses, including GED.