Ken Carroll

Harold Jarche writes about how the traditional ‘business model’ of the universities is under pressure. Universities evolved in in another era and remain stacked with inefficiencies (cost, structural, learning inefficiencies). Harold posits language learning as an area where innovators are working around these inefficiencies.

Yes. There is indeed a good deal of innovation coming from private operators, using the web to build out distribution, reduce costs, and explore the possibilities of the new media. Some of the most interesting work and discussions on pedagogy is also being done on the web and this is providing tremendous energy and insight for innovators. (I’m not sure there is anything that dynamic in ESL research at the moment.) It’s a unique situation and it’s all happening really fast.

I’m not sure how the universities are supposed to keep up, though it’s clear that they could certainly benefit from these innovations. I think a PLS, for example, would provide a lot more value to a university student than the old, static language labs that still dominate campuses. Nor is there any reason why students now have to be tethered to the location/scheduling and other needs of the institution in order to consume, practice, and learn from the teachers and community.

But the question of how far the institutions will open up remains. My guess is that institutional change will be slow, perhaps even really slow. That leaves people like us to continue to develop innovative solutions, create as much value as we can for learners, and perhaps to point to the future.

So, whatever about the institutions, the future for the life long learner looks more more like a Personal Learning Environment and less like a quadrangle. Surely learning in the future will have to conform more and more to the needs of the individual.

In that vein, we launched ItalianPod today. The ItalianPod team are the youngest of the 4 teams with tons of smart ideas and creative energy. They have brought new levels of drama and culture to the lessons that I think are remarkable. (I urge you to see for yourself.) I also know that, from every perspective these guys are out to innovate and improve. I can only imagine what they will be doing a year from now.

Ken Carroll