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Based on my understanding, the cost-quality ratio of most higher education in the US isn't exactly great either. Students from poorer families taking massive st

Based on my understanding, the cost-quality ratio of most higher education in the US isn't exactly great either. Students from poorer families taking massive student debt to study something that doesn't even get them much better income is not a good outcome, yet it's a reality for many. In addition to that, think in most fields there's an increasing need for education that is more flexible than multi-year degrees, simply because requirements for skills change so fast these days.

jltsiren 2y ago
The American model of higher education focuses too much on teaching and too little on self-study. This makes the degrees more expensive and less useful. You need to hire more teachers if you want to cover every required topic in a class. And then the degree only signals that the graduate can learn complex things if properly supervised. It's less certain that the graduate can learn new things on their own, which future employers might want to know.
- owenpalmer 2y ago
  > The American model of higher education focuses too much on teaching and too little on self-study As an American in higher education, that has not been my experience. I spend most of my time teaching myself, and honestly, I like it that way. Very rarely has a professor explained anything to me outside of a video lecture.
  - jltsiren 2y ago
    Do you plan your studies in terms of classes or exams? Do you have mandatory exams with no corresponding class at all? Just a list of books to read and the name of the professor responsible for the exam. And maybe, if you're lucky, some related lectures every 2 or 3 years. Do you have regular (monthly?) exam days where you can take any exam offered by the department. Both standalone exams and exams replacing classes. Education gets pretty expensive, if you need a class with lectures (and maybe even teaching assistants) for every topic you want to offer.

jltsiren 2y ago

The American model of higher education focuses too much on teaching and too little on self-study. This makes the degrees more expensive and less useful. You need to hire more teachers if you want to cover every required topic in a class. And then the degree only signals that the graduate can learn complex things if properly supervised. It's less certain that the graduate can learn new things on their own, which future employers might want to know.

owenpalmer 2y ago
> The American model of higher education focuses too much on teaching and too little on self-study As an American in higher education, that has not been my experience. I spend most of my time teaching myself, and honestly, I like it that way. Very rarely has a professor explained anything to me outside of a video lecture.
- jltsiren 2y ago
  Do you plan your studies in terms of classes or exams? Do you have mandatory exams with no corresponding class at all? Just a list of books to read and the name of the professor responsible for the exam. And maybe, if you're lucky, some related lectures every 2 or 3 years. Do you have regular (monthly?) exam days where you can take any exam offered by the department. Both standalone exams and exams replacing classes. Education gets pretty expensive, if you need a class with lectures (and maybe even teaching assistants) for every topic you want to offer.