In the c1450, Johannas Gutenberg invented the first movable type. This was a big deal because it made learning more accessible and was an easier medium of communication. Printing and the distribution of books also rattled the cages a bit by challenging the authority of established institutions. After discussing the this issue in my digital civilization class, the following thought came to mind. Is knowledge being so readily accessible in today's world taking place of the need for academic institutions like Colleges and Universities?
As I thought more about this topic, I decided to discuss the issue with the CFO of the company that I worked for over the summer. Despite being able to learn just as much or more about any given topic though means other than formal education, my employer said what I expected him to say "No".
Graduating from a formal institution gives one credibility. Graduating from a prestigious University does not guarantee that its graduates know everything in there respective fields. It means that that student has learned how to be disciplined enough to learn. As mentioned in a previous post, learning is a life-long process and graduating from college is just the beginning.
***The following post is based off of a conversation I had with with Jason Blickenstaff (CFO, Blickenstaff's, LLC) on September 10, 2010.
Monday, September 20, 2010
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Interesting post, Kurt. I think this ties into what we'll be discussing tomorrow with the rise of the New Science. Bacon talked about the four tribes, and I'll talk about that on my blog.
ReplyDeleteTo add to your post, I talked with a portfolio manager at the national lab I've worked at over the last few years and he mentioned that when it comes to interviewing, they're not looking merely into who's the smartest coming out of college. What's more important to them is how the individual interacts with other employees, accepts responsibility, and works hard. He said the job-specific knowledge will come gradually over time.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a blog post similar to this one a little while ago about why the institution of class has survived. I mean, imagine being the professor in the fifteenth century who taught students from the book because the students didn't and couldn't own books. And then one day his students come into class with their own copies of the book! The professor must have thought, "What's the point of even teaching anymore if the students can just read the books on their own now?"
ReplyDeleteI don't think college will go away anytime soon. Even if we can learn anything on the Internet, I think it's safe to say that the large majority of us wouldn't learn nearly as much if we didn't have the social pressure of face-to-face interaction with peers and teachers to push us along.
A person who needs structure would probably not excel without organized institutions. However, people who can function and are okay not having a structure would be more susceptible to acquiring information without via internet or other sources. Does this seem like it's similar to our digital civilization class at all? I think so.
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