Kyle Tejchma

              The Berkman Center seems like a very interesting place where many bright people get together and discuss how to improve the internet.  It is awesome that all of these people are able to meet and discuss issues over the internet.  The internet has began to play a very large role in many peoples life’s, and it seems like groups like the Berkman center may have some influence in how this role continues to expand.  The cyber cast that I listened to was an interview with Juan Carlos.  He talks about how education has changed with the new technologies, and explains how it may continue to.

                Juan Carlos seems to be very interested in the changes that may happen in the future with these new technologies that seem to continually advance.   Juan Carlos states that other technologies such as radio and television were once thought to have the ability to change education, but they were not successful (Carlos, 2012).  He explains that internet and digitalization are more likely to alter education because “the technology is more potent and powerful” (Carlos, 2012).  Many people may not realize how the internet has already changed education.  Many universities incorporate internet into their classes, it is not just the strictly online universities.  Many institutions have incorporated internet and the digital world by having classes that have their own websites.  This allows student to turn in work online, receive course readings, and communicate with other classmates and the professor.  Also many traditional institutions allow students to take classes that are completely online.  This allows students to not be restricted by a class setting, and allows people with busy lives’ to do their work on their own time.  These changes that have already happened may only be the beginning of what is to come in the future.

                One trend that Juan Carlos believes may cause education to change is its high costs.  Especially in the United States there have been many recent uproars of the high cost of education.  There are many people that believe education should have more financial support so more students can receive an education, with little to no debt following education.  Juan Carlos says that he believes that the internet and online classes could help to lower the cost of education.  He states, you “don’t need as many teachers and you don’t need as many scholars” (Carlos, 2012).   Using the internet as an educational tool has already made it easier for many people to receive their education, when they wouldn’t normally be able to do so.  If Juan Carlos is correct then it may open up education to even more people who would find it too expensive to attend an in person institution.

                Overall this interview was very interesting, and it seemed to show a lot of insight into what direction education may be going in.  I believe that the use of internet for education is very positive, and helpful to many.  Using online classes can help people to continue their education while they still live a very busy life outside of their education.  It will be very intriguing to see how education continues to develop, and grow.

Work Cited

Carlos, J. (Writer) (2012, April 5). Rb 197: University 2.0. [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from RB 197: University 2.0