Slaying the Dragon
“There is a lot to be said for, and gained from, online learning. But learning is a social endeavor and while I don’t believe attendance should be regular or compulsory, there is no available technology to replace the value of face-to-face interaction.
“Compass is a wonderful example of a form this type of Learning Center could take. And it is important that the emphasis is on learning, which is something people do for themselves, because they want to, and education, which is something that is done to people.
“This way’ education’ is much more fluid, it starts with and spreads out from the learner, and can be organized and adapted as it goes along. There would no longer be any need for oceans of red tape to be hacked through by lobbyists as though they were Sleeping Beauty’s prince hacking through the forest of thorns. After perhaps years of campaigning, to slay the dragon of the old curriculum, only to find something else was wrong, and would take another gargantuan bureaucratic battle.”
A great idea for education and learning. Self-directed learning is a very strong foundation of unschooling and one of the necessary tools in developing life-long learning and motivation. Read the full concept here on Educoup.com.
black board, white chalk 
I couldn’t agree more. Self-directed learning is making waves in classroom’s across the country, FINALLY! I completed my masters online. I received an education that I can use to move towards my Ph.D, but am often jealous hearing of my friends who are attending classess for their masters, the face to face discussions they get to have with their peers, and the guided learning that is placed in their hands to discover innovation using their own teaching situations.
Life-long learning and authentic education are what we should strive for everyday and hope to pass along to each student who comes through our classroom door.
Thank you Mr Matt for your very insightful comment! I teach an online course and while I enjoy the flexibility of such an endeavour as well as the opportunity to have participants from around the world, as a teacher, I miss the face-to-face interactions; those aha moments; and just the chance to apply the theory in a real-life setting. On-line education does open doors. We just need to find the right balance.