Higher Education for the World

[neilgdickson]

Hi everyone! I'm brand new to the Pogotribe and SPOTM, but Dan's call for PoTriTriYouViBloNet auditions and An Open Letter to Educators made me realize that this project should really be done, instead of just sitting in the back of my mind and the minds of other disappointed students.



What are your thoughts on creating a web of video tutorials teaching right up to the interesting topics that universities always put on the backburner?

[Gesh]

Well there are some YouTube channels that I know do this type of thing, actually, and they do have a decent amount of subscribers, but that doesn't mean this wouldn't be a good idea if you can find the right way to go about making it a reality!

[neilgdickson]

Yep, and ShowMeDo has a lot of various video tutorials on it, though I'm thinking of something a bit more organized into a big web, where we'd have the connections between topics laid out.

For example, details of quantum computing theory depend on some knowledge of linear algebra, so we could have some videos on linear algebra as "prerequisite info" for the videos on quantum computing theory. Details of quantum computing technology depend on the theory and on basic circuitry and properties of superconductors, so you get a web of interactions between topics.

That way, whatever you want to learn about, you can easily find out what videos you'd need to watch to get the background info, and what topics are related that you might be interested in. ;D

It does mean that we'd need several contributers, 'cause there's a lot of content to generate, but we can always link to other video tutorials out there.

[Gesh]

Well if you need someone to help you turn this idea into a reality (because it is a good idea), or if that happens need people who can make tutorials on certain subjects, a triad has actually created a list of skills that different PogoTribe members have, if you'd want to check that out. It's pretty cool.

southpoleofthemoon.com/wiki/index.php?title=List_of_Skills

[qooqǝɯɐƃ]

Hey Neil,

I'm no expert but I believe the school systems of the world are due for a change. I understand that knowledge is emergent, and institutions need to recognize this and change with it. I'd love to be a part of this project.

I just wanna get the picture clear first... In my opinion the school systems are flawed because they focus on teaching students facts. And as Dan pointed out in his Open Letter to Educators video, because of the internet that is no longer important, at least in high school (because what we learn in high school can easily be found on the internet). And since the internet will only accumulate more and better information on more and more subjects this focus of school is outdated.

What I believe high schools should teach is personal development. (I have attended only public schools, so what I say only goes for them. I think some private schools actually have personal development as major part of the curriculum.) If we were to learn (or master, rather) things ranging from deep comprehension, debating, objectiveness to physical development and social interaction complemented with subjects like mathematics, science, and art I believe we'd produce much more capable young adults.

This is my belief for changing the school system, not for making a website with subject lessons. 2 different things... However I think we share the same desire for a reformation of school systems. Unfortunately we don't have the capability to change the school systems, so this website/YouTube channel is a better approach.

Hope to hear back from you.
Cam