DIY U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs and the Coming Transformation of Higher Education
Introduction
DIY U (Do-It-Yourself University) means that students and education institutions should use technology, self-determination and critical thinking to implement a non-formal education and career opportunities, create a learner-centered education and bring transformation. In addition, Kamenetz talks about the future of education and the need to implement change through addressing education challenges such as cost and quality. It is the high time to utilize the available resources such technologies in order to improve higher learning. Everyone is accountable and responsible to improve the education. The purpose of this book is to urge each and everyone to contribute toward education transformation and use technology and practices to build an education system which provides quality and access.
Main argument
Today, the institutions of high education are facing challenges which hinder effective education. Some of the challenges include massive tuition hikes, higher education demand, and lack of education resources to meet the demand, education gaps, low access and higher debts (Kamenetz, 2011). Kamenetz uses an informative language to argue that education is lagging behind and it is high time to use technology and innovation in order to bring reformation. The main argument in this writing is that higher education in American need a student-centered approach which will offer education programs and academic support to meet the students’ needs and help them achieve their goals (Kamenetz, 2011). In other words, reformation is needed for establishing a learner-centered education which will promote a life-long learning. The author argues that to address the challenges associated with rising costs, lack of employment opportunities, lack of access and quality, it is the role and responsibility of higher education institutions and society in general to join hands and bring reforms. Kamenetz goes on to argue that in order to transform the education system and ensure access and quality, people should focus on ‘do-it-yourself education’. In other words, the students and education institutions should be self-motivated and foresee the multiple paths for success. The author argues that in bringing reformation, addressing problems and achieving goals self-reliance and collaboration should be key elements (Kamenetz, 2011).
Education and sociology, social class and social mobility
The author states that despite the fact that America and world in general are trying to reform education system in the Digital Age, there are challenges which are hindering development. The mainly challenge is class and race- a situation where people of color face unequal opportunities in higher education (Kamenetz, 2011). In addition, minorities face discrimination and unfair advantages which creates education gap. The author states that the institution of higher education need to take affirmative actions to promote quality and bridge the education gap. In addition, it is the higher time to take affirmative action to meet the need of minority students who come from low-income background and ensure they have access and quality education. In American today, education system has created a completive meritocracy and ignored equal opportunities. Education gap is explained further by author Gary Becker who argues that human capital creates income inequality in that knowledge, creativity and ability is the measured by economic values. This means that the education gap denies the minority human capital and they are unable to participate in labor market. This creates a salary gap where people with PhDs earn $1,555 on weekly basis and BA earns $978 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). This also means that income inequality promotes a culture of inequality and lack of social mobility. In other words, the education gap is rooted from lack of opportunity in labor markets, unemployment, and poor consumption. Minority students are unable to access quality education since their parents face financial challenges rooted from salary gap, education gap and lack of social mobility (Kamenetz, 2011). Other point to note is that public resources are not well distributed because you find that colleges of wealthier students’ access public resources and colleges of students from poor background do not access the public resources. The author calls for reform and urges the education institution to distribute federal and State aid equally.
Technology and education institutions
Technology has changed education in a remarkable way in that students can access education easily through the internet. There are various education opportunities where students can achieve ‘do-it-yourself education’ in YOUTUBEEDU, open journal, podcasts among many sources (Kamenetz, 2011). Technology has provided easy method for communication and collaboration in that students and teachers can use videoconferencing, blog positing and e-mails to collaborate with other students and share information. However, despite the technological innovation, there is a big challenge since not all individuals are able to access the technology. For example, the author states that students from low-income background and students of color are denied the opportunity (Kamenetz, 2011). This affects their academic success due to lack technological aptitude. Technology has offered lifelong learning and has reinforced teachers-students interaction. In supporting the technology in education, the author supports the hybrid education model which encompasses both online learning and classroom instruction. This model is best for students-centered learning where students-faculty relationship is reinforced. Students will also find satisfactory in their courses through computer-mediated communication. Thus, it is important to bring education reformation by utilizing the technology. The latter will provide opportunity for learning to everyone in all places (Kamenetz, 2011).
The future of education
Kamenetz states that the future of education will be characterized by digital approaches where students will be using personal learning networks. In other words, technology is developing a personalized learning where students will rely on individual learning (Kamenetz, 2011). Students will gain a positive learning experience and students-teacher interaction will be reinforced. In foreseeing the future, the author urges students and higher education institutions to join hands and create a self-directed learning where students will have accountability and responsibility in their own learning. In other words, self-direction will promote critical thinking, effective communication and collaboration (Kamenetz, 2011). Generally, the future of education is supported by Do-It-Yourself. This means that in future, students are expected to embrace the self-directed learning and use the technology in order to meet theory goals. Students should utilize the many self-education resources such as online courses, video learning, digital skills platforms, liberal arts and others to create a lifelong learning and useful self-education (Kamenetz, 2011).
Conclusion
Kamenetz is a great author who solves the education problems facing higher education institutions. The important point which she offers is that in order to address the challenges of rising costs and access of education, education institutions should focus on innovation. The latter means that it is the role of students and education institutions to bring education reform through the use technology. In other words, education reform and the future of education should be characterized by ‘Do-It-Yourself’. This means that students should use the ‘personal learning networks’ supported by technological placations. Technology will provide a wide information, sharing and interaction. Education will only be transformed by DIY approach.
Reference
Kamenetz, A. (2011). DIY U: Edupunks, edupreneurs, and the coming transformation of higher education.
Chelsea Green Publishing
