I appreciate all the various posts and attendant points of view heretofore set forth in this list. Since I am the one who started the thread, allow me to express and clarify where I am coming from.
No one would doubt the power of the Internet to disseminate information, lots of it to lots of places around the world. I'm confident that I don't have to convince anyone on this list of the intrinsic power of the Internet, or if you prefer, the world-wide-web. Seeing as we have this great medium through which information can be transmitted, shouldn't we harness this great power to the betterment of the world at large? especially the 3rd world, or those who would otherwise never have access to higher education?
Can the requirements of accreditation be met, while making it freely (monetarily speaking) available to all who are motivated and willing to meet the requirements? Is it fair to put a price-tag on degrees when society stands to benefit from individuals securing them? Wouldn't the advantages of "free" degrees far outweigh the disadvantages of offering free degrees? Wouldn't the net result be a worldwide increase in productivity and entrepreneurship, etc.? Wouldn't it help alleviate poverty in the 3rd world and elsewhere?
Since the world by and large doesn't seem to recognize learning for learning sake, but only that learning that is done within the confines of "degree seeking," isn't anything that would result in the obtaining of more degrees by more of the worlds people be a good thing?
I guess I am just an advocate of leveling the playing field. In my Utopian world there would be true equal-opportunity. And part and partial of that would be free education for all, including higher education. Please tell me am I lost in my own little Utopian dream world? Or do could my wishes have a basis in reality as a result of this new technology we call the web?
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Best,
Michael W.
mwehrle@gmail.com