• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Skip to footer navigation

  • Calendar of events
  • 687 Larch Av, Teaneck NJ
  • 201-836-5187
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE
Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Leader
      • Leader Curt Collier
      • Leader’s Talks
      • Joe Chuman, Retired Leader
        • Talks by Dr Joseph Chuman
        • Speaking of Ethics: Living a Humanist Life
        • Wedding Officiant
    • Gatherings
    • FAQ
      • How does Ethical Culture make a difference in society?
      • What social life is there in Ethical Culture?
      • How is Ethical Culture religious?
    • Ethical Brew
    • Ceremonies
    • Philosophy
    • Constitution & Bylaws
    • Contact Us
  • Sunday School
    • About Our Sunday School
    • Primary Class
    • Elementary Class
    • Junior Class
    • Senior Class
    • Sunday school FAQ
    • Sunday School News
  • Social Action
    • History of Our Social Action
    • All Social Action Articles
    • Battling Racism
    • Environmental Action
    • Healthcare
  • Adult Education
    • About Our Adult Ed Programs
    • Open Mic
    • Conversemos
    • Job Club
    • Accountability Circle
      • Anti-racism
      • Gender Explorations
    • Mindfulness Mediation
    • Socrates Cafe
    • Ethical Culture Review of Books
  • News
    • All News
    • President Column
    • UN Report
    • Gathering Addresses
    • Member News
    • Sunday School News
  • EVENTS

Everywhere University Final Part

July 3, 2015

President’s Column July 2015 by Janet Glass

In the last column, we reflected on survey results published in Harvard Magazine that revealed that most students taking free online courses are older and have bachelor’s degrees.

Online Learning Not Meeting Expectations

Even among students who have a bachelor’s degree, however, online learning may not be suitable. While freelancers, designers, pilots, computer scientists and others may have found a heyday with new learning technologies, it is not for everyone. There are areas of training where, I believe, online learning may be inappropriate or not yet there. Some arts like singing, painting and dance, professionals such as midwives and chefs, craftsmen such as glass-blowers and preschool and kindergarten students may not be well served by teaching through the internet. There are many people who may not have the stamina to finish the courses. The statistics show poor completion rates among students who have begun free courses. New courses need to be created that match the level of students’ abilities and we need courses to improve literacy.

Another problem is that certain businesses take advantage of the public by offering courses that are substandard. The University of Phoenix, for example, had been put on probation for this. Accrediting institutions must be vigilant. Since hiring practices can depend on bona fide credentials, the courses need to be the real thing. Certifying the courses is an issue that will need to be settled before we put too much faith in programs that have too little oversight. In response to this slow process of certification, the researchers reporting in Harvard Magazine say, “That they have not yet delivered on this promise should not blind us to their other benefits.” So, yes, we have work to do.

Bricks and Bytes

Still, while there are many challenges, my impression of learning online is that it will expand as we get better at it. Our economy needs prepared workers. Our country needs educated citizens. All but the wealthy need reasonably priced education. More educators in high schools and colleges are even incorporating high quality pieces taken from free online courses and using them in the classroom. Heartwarming stories are surfacing. A 16 year-old in Mongolia was one of the very few to get 100% on MIT’s free online Circuits and Electronics course. A prodigy was discovered in an area halfway around the world. He is now enrolled in MIT and would never have had the chance from his remote village if it were not for the existence of these courses. He was discovered through free MOOC classes. Good for him and good for us. The world needs more motivated scientists and engineers.

These successes show that the best books, professors and students no longer need to be in the same building or even on the same continent. As for campus life, people can meet and flourish in places like the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County while simultaneously taking advantage of Everywhere University…opportunities for all. Sounds to me like bringing out the best in others.

Primary Sidebar

Ethical Brew is Back!

Ethical Brew Coffeehouse

Recent News

  • You’re Invited: Humanist for the Holidays
  • Join our Celebration of Human Rights
  • Our Research Highlights the Need to Connect Local Residents and Public Spaces
  • We Must Continue to Work Toward the Conditions of Peace
  • Let’s Join Forces Against Disinformation

Sign up for our newsletter.

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

We believe in ethics. We believe in people.

Please believe in us.

    Donate    

About Us

Ethical Culture was founded to focus on community and good works, rather than personal salvation. Read more…

Archives

Footer

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Connect with Us

Address: 687 Larch Ave, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Phone: 201-836-5187
Email: [email protected]

Sign up for our newsletter.

 

Recent Posts

  • You’re Invited: Humanist for the Holidays November 30, 2023
  • Join our Celebration of Human Rights November 30, 2023
  • Our Research Highlights the Need to Connect Local Residents and Public Spaces November 30, 2023
  • We Must Continue to Work Toward the Conditions of Peace November 29, 2023
  • Let’s Join Forces Against Disinformation November 9, 2023
Our Society’s Covid-19 Guidelines

We believe in ethics. We believe in people.

Please believe in us.

Topics

atheism atheist church book review children civil rights climate change community compassion death democracy Doris Friedensohn education Elizabeth Warren environment environmentalism Ethical Brew Ethical Culture ethical education ethics family Felix Adler gender global warming happiness healthcare humanism humanist humanists human rights Israel Joseph Chuman Middle East politics racism religion Secular Humanism social action Socrates Cafe Sunday School technology transgender Trump unemployment world health youth

What We Do For Fun….

There's always time for play: celebrations, discussions (some in Spanish -- find Conversemos on our calendar), hikes, picnics, cultural outings, and more. Come join us!
Kids get into the act
Diane running the show

Important Links

  • Member of the American Ethical Union
  • Ethical Brew
  • Sanctuary Committee
  • BC Gun Violence Prevention
  • NJ Website Designer
© 2023 | The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

Copyright © 2023 · Kreativ Pro On Genesis Framework · The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County · Log in

  • Calendar of events
  • 687 Larch Av, Teaneck NJ
  • 201-836-5187
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE