Great Changes in Higher Education Are Coming

I have a great interest in education and training, and I have several higher education degrees.  Recently, however, I was surprised to learn how extensive has become the reach and availability of FREE online courses from such institutions as MIT and Stanford.  Of course, these free courses do not at this time lead to  degree acquisition, but the extent of student population penetration is phenomenal!  Stanford announced this year (2012) that they have reached a million students who are taking their free courses!  Many, if not most, of the course instructors are reported to be full-time faculty at Stanford.

Continuing education, especially for employees of a company, has always been an important component of individual development planning.  Indeed, even succession planning strategies, might be economized when considering the employee’s acquisition of specific business or personal skills required in the talent management of succession candidates

It is interesting to see how this FREE education will evolve.  It is not difficult to imagine the loss of many university faculty because of diminished student populations at the more expensive institutions.  This week Google purchased Motorola Mobility for more than $12 billion.  Immediately they became a world communications/knowledge presence. 

Really dramatic changes may also – nay, will, in higher education.