An open mind

It is true that improvement in technology provides society with more information and equality, now everyone can have acces to it and it is not restrained in any way. The main problem that comes form free online lectures, e-learning and peer online work is that the formal aspect of learning and its purpose -which is obtaining a degree- may not be acomplished through the internet. Although this tool has many good qualities; such as facilitating learning for university students and allowing people who do not have acces to university to learn at a college level, it certainly might not replace the role of formal education for a simple reason: assessment through the internet could not be entirely effective. Another thing that comes to mind is a question: If people were able to get degrees online, what would prevent them from not putting real effort into their studies and simply cheat on every single test? We can simply not rely on people's honesty -as mean as it may sound- instead, through these useful tools -Opencourseware iniciative, Itunes U, O.E.R., P2PU- people can be encouraged to pursue a degree. The problem of having an educational system that excludes people form disadvantaged backgrounds from decent education does not rely upon Univerities only, but on social and educational policies.