This week, we start the conversation on the value of Higher Education. We will introduce themes that will be explored throughout the class and discuss how we want this learning space to operate.
I. Preparation Before Class:
- Come with an eager, open mind
II. In Class Discussion:
- Review Structure and Organization of the class
- What is the value of a Higher Education degree? What are the benefits of a traditional degree? What does it lack?
- What do you seek with higher education?
- How does a workflow like design thinking help solve big problems?
- What are the benefits to considering diversity when it comes to design?
- What is content? What is code? What is an API? What is a framework? What is a platform?
- Slide Deck
III. Reflection / Assignment After Class:
Read:
- What is a Masters Degree Worth? (NY Times)
- The Entire USC MFA First Year Class is Dropping Out
- In Defense of Liberal Arts (American Spectator)
- Empowering Students to Choose the College that is Right for Them (WhiteHouse.gov)
- US College Score Card
Listen:
Deeper Dive:
- Is college really worth it? (Freakonomics)
- The Entire USC MFA First Year Class is Dropping Out
- Is a graduate degree worth the cost? Here is how to know. (Wash Post)
- The Real Teens of Silicon Valley (California Sunday Magazine)
- College: What it’s all about and why it matters (Collegeboard)
- Fewer High School Grads Choose to Go to College (NY Times)
- College Calculus (The New Yorker)
- Is college worth it? (the economist)
- Students looking for alternatives as for profit ITT closes (NPR)
Reflection / Assignment for Conversation:
Write:
- Why did you choose to attend Graduate School?
- Do you think a Higher Education is necessary today or in the future?
- Now that you have stated some reasons why you are pursuing a degree at a traditional school, investigate and write about other ways to obtain this knowledge in alternative learning experiences.
Complete these blog tasks:
- Introduce yourself in a blog post. (You can combine this with the write assignment.
- Complete the Skills Survey.
- Comment on a classmate’s post.