> If we could all come to an agreement on its objectives

"If we could all come to an agreement ..."

For something that touches everyone, and that people have widely different views and motivations, starting from that goal will likely fail. The trick is to come to some way of working that allows most people to benefit, or not be overly harmed, and be able to move forward productively. Like marriage and politics.

Some objectives that I've seen for education:

- So that citizens can read and understand propaganda.

- To prepare people for the 21st Century.

- To prepare people to understand "the news," so that they can make sensible choices in their days and in elections.

- To give them marketable skills, for jobs.

- To promote the state religion.

- To promote a particular religion.

- To promote "values." These values can be anything: tolerance, intolerance, discrimination, inclusiveness, being on the "right" side of gay marriage, etc.

This is why education is so important at an early age, we can get to people and shape their world view to the "right" way, so that they use Apple computers, smoke cigarettes, view gay marriage the "correct" way (which way is that again?), etc etc.

You will never get an agreement on objectives, we all hate each other too much. (If you don't believe that last, consider that insulting politically opposite people is about the last acceptable openly expressed prejudice, among all sides.)

Better to figure out how to move forward with a huge difference of opinions, and a huge variety of people. One way to do that is to ensure that there are plenty of options in education, so that one powerful group is not overly motivated to make education the same for everyone.

Your comments have made a really big impact in how I was thinking about this problem. Thank you.

In serving up options in education (to overt concentration of power) - how would you consider a division? By subject matter? political ideals, all of the above?

Most of us aren't going to be able to effectively oppose school districts, teachers unions, governments and political parties. And mostly we don't need to, partly because people mostly don't want to change (in much the same way that pigs don't want to fly), but mostly because we can usually find a group of like minded people interested in what we're interested in (which is quite distinct from finding like minded people who want to force everyone to be like us). The most attainable thing is to try to make the thing we want viable and accessible to people who want it.

Which brings us back to your original comment on MOOCs. (Disclosure: I have purposely still not read your linked Reddit thread.)

It looks like you believe MOOCs provide something worthwhile. Without asking why, I tend to agree with you. But rather than try to convince everyone that MOOCs are an essential part of some large strategy, work at a lower level, trying to ensure that MOOCs remain viable and that they grow in maturity. Just having MOOCs available to anyone who thinks that MOOCs will solve their particular issue is great.

You might work on MOOC infrastructure, or from the educational side, or you might just be a non-annoying advocate. :) Just making people aware of the existence and utility of MOOCs would be a very positive thing.

I used to want to change the world, but I've come to see that the world is already changing, constantly. Once in awhile someone comes along and tries to determine the direction of the world for everyone. That always ends in disaster.

Best if you try to make your little geographical or intellectual or moral patch of the world a better place. Lots of better patches are likely to result in a good world direction, whatever that is.

MOOC on, dude. :)

Wise words.

In my attempt to remain impartial in my opening I think I've come across too skeptical of the existing MOOCs (and by extension other tools). I really appreciate what MOOCs have done for us, and become (so far). They're awesome - and I'll always be an advocate. It's the first evolution in something special. I'm just impatient and want to see something more profound come from it :P

Other then that, I think you're right. We do have a chance to create a bit of a space aimed at bringing people together (for whatever they want to pursue). And looking at keeping the barrier to entry low. Your views have been invaluable! Thanks.