In this talk, Amy Collier took a critical look at the “unbundling” phenomenon in US higher education and the ways in which online learning and MOOCs are increasingly linked to unbundling.
Proponents of unbundling talk about breaking the monolithic and entrenched structures of higher education that stifle innovation, keep costs high, and leave students with degrees that do not guarantee them jobs. But what is behind the push for unbundling, and what are the dangers of unbundling for students, faculty, and higher education?
Bio: Dr Amy Collier is the director for digital learning initiatives for the Office of the Vice Provost for Online Learning at Stanford University. She oversees a variety of curriculum development and teaching initiatives, and conducts research to inform effective online learning practices across the University. She is well known as a persuasive advocate and invaluable resource for evidence-based instructional improvement, strategy, and planning.
Slides from Amy’s talk are available here.
Hazel Christie, from the Institute of Academic Development at the University of Edinburgh, has written a blog post summarising her reflections on Amy’s talk.
Listen to Amy discuss this topic in a recording of her Radio Edutalk appearance: http://www.edutalk.info/show/radio-edutalk-26-08-2014-b-amy-collier-reflecting-on-the-unbundling-of-us-higher-education/