Cyberschools: An Education Renaissance

Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to distance learning
Review: "The principal characteristic of the knowledge revolution is that it allows us to dramatically extend the human mind by introducing a new model of learning" (p. xx). Thus begins Jones' call to entrepreneurs and educators to seize the opportunity of the Education Renaissance. In his 1997-revised book, Cyberschools, Jones provides an informative history of the distance learning movement, from its roots in correspondence courses to its current foundations in technology. He describes the role played by commercial television and the resulting passage of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 to advance educational television.

Jones' critical premise is that "earning a living in post-industrial, knowledge age society will require lifelong learning, training, and retraining at every level. For the vast majority, interrupting work life to study in a traditional university setting is out of the question" (p. 45). Virtual classrooms and libraries of the twenty-first century are described with visions of learning in cyberspace from around the world. Jones also speaks to the issue of the credibility of distance learning and offers solutions through accreditation agencies. Finally, Jones discusses his management process of a public/private partnership for the electronic delivery of education.

The biggest shortcoming of the book is its publication date, including ten-year-old statistics from 1992 with projections for 2000. However, Jones' theories and analysis are upheld and make Cyberschools an informative introduction for those interested or involved in distance learning.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to distance learning
Review: "The principal characteristic of the knowledge revolution is that it allows us to dramatically extend the human mind by introducing a new model of learning" (p. xx). Thus begins Jones' call to entrepreneurs and educators to seize the opportunity of the Education Renaissance. In his 1997-revised book, Cyberschools, Jones provides an informative history of the distance learning movement, from its roots in correspondence courses to its current foundations in technology. He describes the role played by commercial television and the resulting passage of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 to advance educational television.

Jones' critical premise is that "earning a living in post-industrial, knowledge age society will require lifelong learning, training, and retraining at every level. For the vast majority, interrupting work life to study in a traditional university setting is out of the question" (p. 45). Virtual classrooms and libraries of the twenty-first century are described with visions of learning in cyberspace from around the world. Jones also speaks to the issue of the credibility of distance learning and offers solutions through accreditation agencies. Finally, Jones discusses his management process of a public/private partnership for the electronic delivery of education.

The biggest shortcoming of the book is its publication date, including ten-year-old statistics from 1992 with projections for 2000. However, Jones' theories and analysis are upheld and make Cyberschools an informative introduction for those interested or involved in distance learning.

Rating:
Summary: Cyberschools - Meeting the demand
Review: Glen Jones focuses intently on technological solutions to meet global demand for Higher Education. The demand is from two primary areas; growth in traditional student population as well as from life long learners who are continuing education based on knowledge based employment. Jones strives to present relatively low cost methods of delivery via broadcast and online technologies. These technologies also lend themselves to on-demand style of delivery to meet varying learner lifestyle needs. The premise of the book is the understanding that electronic platforms of educational delivery will soon be the only economical solution to meet the growing demand.

The statistical data presented in the text is dated, though the content's predictions are holding true. "Cyberschools" is a good starting point for those that are interested in distance education.

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Summary: Pepperdine University GSEP, Educational Technology
Review: Glenn Jones, founder of Jones Communications (one of the largest cable television providers and home of Knowledge TV) has penned a book that addresses the impending necessity of what he terms as "Free Market Fusion". To describe Free Market Fusion, Jones reviews the growing trends related to a movement from an industrial based economy, to an information based economy, to a knowledge based economy. He addresses the issue of displacement of the traditional college student (18-22 year old) with an older more technology savvy student and their necessity to update education throughout their lifespan. He also delineates issues facing public institutions and the overwhelming financial burden they will be facing to educate, not only the students within their communities, but also students located throughout the world. He also discusses impending teacher shortages and the role accreditation committees play in certifying higher education institutions. BIG IDEAS The idea is to deliver education to people, instead of people to education. His concept of Free Market Fusion synergizes the strongest aspects of the information providing public sector with the strongest aspects of the information providing private sector to meet the needs of the knowledge workers of the 21st century. The major components of any Free Market Fusion process are: 1. Identifying and evaluating potential Free Market Fusion opportunities 2. Creating an innovative solution 3. Identifying potential partners 4. Structuring the relationship 5. Undertaking the project

THREE IMPLICATIONS 1. Application of knowledge will be a critical success factor for the 21st century knowledge worker. 2. Public and private educational institutions will not be able to meet the needs of the 21st century knowledge worker. 3. Reducing the digital divide will become necessary to avoid class warfare in the 21st century.

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Summary: Cyberschools ¿Closing the Geographic and Digital Divide
Review: In a field of constant change and innovation, Glen R. Jones suggests that technology plays an extremely important role in both higher education and an increasingly important role in the K-12 markets. While the costs of education continue to rise, the resources and budgets continue to be cut. Jones suggests that a shift in traditional ways of teaching and learning can provide the solution to a major educational problem. More and more students are re-entering the classroom as knowledge age jobs require continuing education, which creates more lifelong learners. Technologies, together with corporate partnerships, and entrepreneurial minds, in addition to a focus on bringing education to students instead of students to the halls of the campus are the elements Jones combines to define what he calls "Free Market Fusion."

Jones carefully lays out estimated costs for a college education, while also providing statistics for student enrollment and changing descriptions of students who are enrolling. He compares private, public, and cyber schools, making the case that room and board, transportation, and other fees associated with a traditional school disappear when students can access their courses from the comfort of their own home. The need for flexibility for the student demographic that is growing and changing, therefore, is addressed.

For individuals who can see the potential in technology and the need for a shift in paradigm, Cyberschools is a good companion for motivation to get involved. While the statistics are a bit dated, the sources from which they came are cited, making it quite easy to find the most recent data.

Rating:
Summary: A Serious view of Technology in Education
Review: In this highly-readable book, Glenn R. Jones addresses the ever-increasing demand for education at a time when funds for education are becoming increasingly scarce. He cites the increase in life-long learners, the number of students from other countries entering United State's school, and the push to increase primary literacy as reasons for this problem. Jones points out that higher education has "turned the corner" ion the use of technology in the lecture and as the lecture hall. Technologies like virtual universities, virtual libraries, TV, and The Internet are very cost effective and provide a variety of curricula to schools. Of major importance in the shift to technology is the shift away from institutions and teachers to the student. The results have been an increased availability of higher education at reduced cost. He describes a phenomenon he calls "Free Market Fusion, and challenges entrepreneurs to continue the trend for the better education of all.

Rating:
Summary: A Serious view of Technology in Education
Review: In this highly-readable book, Glenn R. Jones addresses the ever-increasing demand for education at a time when funds for education are becoming increasingly scarce. He cites the increase in life-long learners, the number of students from other countries entering United State's school, and the push to increase primary literacy as reasons for this problem. Jones points out that higher education has "turned the corner" ion the use of technology in the lecture and as the lecture hall. Technologies like virtual universities, virtual libraries, TV, and The Internet are very cost effective and provide a variety of curricula to schools. Of major importance in the shift to technology is the shift away from institutions and teachers to the student. The results have been an increased availability of higher education at reduced cost. He describes a phenomenon he calls "Free Market Fusion, and challenges entrepreneurs to continue the trend for the better education of all.

Rating:
Summary: A good resource for anyone interested in distance learning.
Review: The author is the CEO of Jones International Corporation and has been a leader in the use of cable television for distance learning and electronic education. Mr. Jones identifies several influences that are forcing change in educational institutions and looks at how distance learning and electronic delivery of information can be a critical tool to assist educational leaders in meeting these changes.

The author looks at the rising costs of higher education, the changing characteristics of the adult student, the development of a global community, and the transformation of the world to a knowledge society. Mr. Jones shows how the television medium and the Internet can provide a less costly and more efficient means of providing education to a diverse student population.

Mr. Jones is a proponent of entrepreneurship. He believes that innovation, initiative and solutions can be found in partnerships between institutions and entrepreneurial groups. He calls this collaboration Free Market Fusion and he maintains that education in the future will be in the combined hands of private and public entities.

Cyberschools: An Education Renaissance is an good reference for anyone interested in the history of distance education and also provides the reader with a number of successful distance learning projects currently in operation.