A Nation of Dunces?

I recall a conversation I once had with a fellow professor, wherein he remarked that he enjoyed teaching, because anything that he told his students in class seemed to come as an exciting new revelation to them.

I thought of this remark when reading an article in the Sunday paper by Susan Jacoby entitled "A Nation of Dunces" based on her book entitled "The Age of American Unreason".

According to Jacoby, the three trends fueling this "new anti-intellectualism" are ... excessive video, the erosion of general knowledge, and arrogance about the lack of knowledge.

Powerful stuff!

Need proof?

See...

Budapest is the Capital of?

Why Can't 20% of Americans locate the US on a World Map...

Global Classrooms

From the New York Times... Published: February 10, 2008

Global Classrooms: U.S. Universities Rush to Set Up 
Outposts Abroad 

Yes, they kinda get the idea... but not quite...

Physical campuses... lots of cost... lots of logistics... tiny 
enrollments... face modality only... no effective, planned use 
of advanced technologies... 19th Century approach... 
"research oriented", meaning dependence largely on 
government handouts... break even business model (at best)... 
minimal social and business impact (except for elites).

Virtual campuses... minimal cost, spread worldwide... 
simple, well understood web logistics... high enrollments... 
all modalities, but primarily online... embrace of all rational 
cutting edge technologies... 21st Century approach... 
"teaching oriented", meaning focused on student 
development and achievement... profit business model... 
dramatic impact across all segments of developing 
societies.

Which one makes the most sense to you?