Are degrees becoming pointless due to free, reliable online resources?

1. 67

   L. Spikesposted 13 years ago

   Do you think the value of a college education is being reduced by the growth of free and reliable online learning resources? I'm primarily talking about the majority of bachelors degrees and not most professional degrees like those obtained by medical specialists and the like. Some things you just have to go to school for, of course.
   
   I mean  -- considering the ridiculously high costs of attendance, the extra emphasis on "experience" that seems to override a great deal of formal education in the job market, and the ability to get reliable information or learn how to do almost anything on the internet, for little or no cost [e.g., HubPages, YouTube tutorials, specialty forums, etc.] -- absent the expectations of tradition and custom, are university degrees really worth the money [and debt] or are they quickly becoming just a symbolic rite of passage? Basically more form than substance?
   
   Thoughts? If you say that value is on the decline, are there any ideas for a new system to evaluate what someone knows other than through degrees?

   replyreport
   1. 61

      kessposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      In a society where there is a tangible value system, it needs the system which we call education to make it  all work.
      
      How the education system works would change, but it will still achieve it goal, whether by brick and mortar schools or bits and bytes.
      
      How the education system came to be was by analysing the desires of men and finding way to have them fulfilled, the ways are then patterned and sold as knowledge.
      
      The one who reject the pattern as taught through education, will find it far more difficult to fulfill his desires, for he would  seek to use a pattern not endorsed by the system through education.
      
      So we see that the system through education has managed to enslave the people unto itself by using the innnate desires of the person via tangible value system called cash to enslave one and all into its fold.
      
      So in short its is the ultimate brainwashing.
      
      But to what? The system itself, which is the biggest enemy of man, it offers to solve all men problems and does so to an extent...but all the problems are  merely a product of the first and ultimate.
      
      Now we are seeing self destruction of the system...
      Those who abide by it are being forsaken, this occurs when your status( job and salary) does not reflect your education.
      
      This occurance will become more prevalent until you the person realize that you have been duped...but even with that will not cause them the forsake the system, for after all... It has you by your desires (balls)

      replyreport
2. 84

   WriteAngledposted 13 years ago

   Many online resources are certainly not reliable, and without some fundamental knowledge, it might not be easy for someone to tell the difference.
   
   I certainly would not consider Youtube, Hubpages and forums as providing a body of knowledge equivalent to degree studies.
   
   Secondly, knowledge was always available for free in libraries.
   
   Anyway, I don't see the connection between access to information as such and the procedure of getting a degree. Although I do believe degrees may have become less rigorous, I still think that it is necessary to demonstrate a certain degree of critical thinking power in order to be awarded one.
   
   If anything, degrees are probably more necessary now than before. I see many adverts for fairly routine office work which require a degree, whereas when I was young, similar jobs simply required reasonable passes in high school exams.
   
   With tens or even hundreds of people applying for a single job, a degree is the first tool for weeding down the numbers to something more manageable before looking seriously at candidates' CVs and drawing up a short-list for interview.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      Hollie Thomasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      My daughter is almost 15 and had been put off a little by the hike in tuition fees. I've told her that when the time comes, she should see the loans as an investment in her future. After all, if graduates are struggling to find work, what chance does a young person with a limited education have.
      
      My BA was obtained at a traditional university, however, I have also completed a couple of short on line courses with the OU. To be honest, I just don't think on line courses can compete with the conventional learning methods, and that's having studied with the OU, a well respected learning provider, so I dread to think about the quality of some other courses/teaching.

      replyreport
3. 57

   SanXuaryposted 13 years ago

   Unless its attached to a real college and a degree and you can attend both, yes its pretty worthless. Their are a lot of people in debt and holders of worthless degrees by these cons. Many our in court fighting it out as we speak.

   replyreport
4. 60

   careercounselorposted 13 years ago

   Having a certification or degree is always going to be important for certain professions. Although having easy access by means of the internet is useful no matter what career a person has. People seem to still value credentials though.

   replyreport
5. 76

   WryLiltposted 13 years ago

   I believe if you know how to network, as well as have a degree, you can achieve anything.
   
   Although I haven't worked full time in three years (due to two babies and part time study) I haven't let that get in the way. I think since I stopped full time work I'd be able to get a better job now in the fields I wanted than before.
   
   If I returned to work it would be in the computers, IT or writing industry, and since I started a writing website that covers most of the south east of my estate, started networking with authors, learnt how to build websites and use social media etc, I have far more experience than I would have if I'd had to learn the same things in books. But the fact I'm about to complete a journalism degree is also a plus.
   
   You CAN work your way up in business IF you work at it hard enough. You just need to have the backbone and also find a good entry level way in.

   replyreport
6. 86

   dmopposted 13 years ago

   A degree certainly doesn't mean as much as it used to. I believe there is something to be said about the person that takes the time and gives the dedication it takes to earn a degree that can never be be said for all the web surfing in the world.

   replyreport
7. 64

   Nouveau Skepticposted 13 years ago

   I wouldn't wanted my appendix taken out by someone who looked it up on the internet. 
   
   I think degrees are just as important as ever, because they aren't about knowing stuff, they are about knowing how to do stuff.

   replyreport
   1. 76

      WryLiltposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Which is why the OP said:
      
      "I'm primarily talking about the majority of bachelors degrees and not most professional degrees like those obtained by medical specialists and the like."

      replyreport
8. 64

   Nouveau Skepticposted 13 years ago

   If someone is doing a bachelors degree for a reason other than getting into a trade or profession, I guess that judgement would be up to them.  I've always seen them as either to get job skills (obviously useful) and/or enrich your mind (innately valuable).
   
   I am not really sure what other purpose they have.  I doubt getting a degree on a vague hope you will get a job in an unrelated field would be... optimistic...

   replyreport
9. 52

   williamdrekposted 13 years ago

   Agreed, there’s information overload on the Internet about any and every subject under the Sun. But can we really compare that to higher education? I think that’s trivializing the value of college education. Also, the so called “experts” who provide such information are also most likely drawing on their own academic and professional experience to offer advice. Otherwise, what ground do they have to stand on? I think college degree programs are an essential part of an individual’s personal and professional growth trajectory!

   replyreport