Acceptable Education

Using Experimental Methodology To Reach Valid Conclusions

The use of experiments has long been a central strategy in the scientific study of causation by some independent condition or factor, and its consequences to some dependent one that takes place as a result of various “treatments,” or prior conditions. In many ways, the experiment is the basic strategy of most sciences—excluding only those where manipulation is not possible (e.g., astronomy, geology and meteorology). For the study of animals, including human beings, the experimental strategy was developed centuries ago on in the biological sciences, where subsequently it proved to be one of the most important procedures by which valid knowledge could be obtained concerning the consequences of a host of medications, treatments and conditions. Later, as applied to other fields, such as psychology, valid conclusions could be reached by comparing the consequent performance of groups of animal or human subjects, with similar characteristics, who have been subjected to different “treatments.”

It's not for everybody.

This is one area of interest where we have not made an in-depth
research study. Universities continue to grow their online offerings in
order to compete with for-profit universities. Classroom courses are
sometimes canceled in favor of offering the same course online to open
class space or to reduce overhead costs. In some cases, students are
unable to find a required course offered in a traditional classroom
setting due to this structural shift in course scheduling.

Interestingly, I have seen several articles on the Chronicle of Higher
Education web site that describe the acceptability of online courses to
students. For example, one student complained that they had no option
other than to take online courses. Some students just want to be in a
class with other people or they actually feel that they are missing
something by not having access to late night study groups, group
projects, etc -- Another student did not want to take an online class
because it's just doesn't fit into her learning style. Some online
students become disillusioned with online offerings and head back into
the classroom.

This week the Chronicle of Higher Education ran two very interesting news items. The first deals with the inequities of institutional endowments and student funding. The top private universities in the United States have an inordinate amount of cash and because of that, are able to offer funding or discounts to their tuition. Read the article here.

It's interesting because the article serves to illustrate inequity in education. Some universities are reputable, being recognized for their alumnus, research accomplishments, ability to attract exceptional students, and the quality of the instruction. Consider this for a moment --