I ran across this article, which I can only describe as...
...Well, for the time being.
While this isn't the most innovative thing, (I'm sure many campuses have implemented at least some kind of remote classroom access...), I can't help but believe that something is very, very wrong with the model that U of I has implemented.
Three Million Dollars for TEN students? They've estimated that their break-even point will come with 700 students, meaning each class would cost roughly $4300/semester. It's not a particularly busy time of year for this sort of thing, (enrollment and such...), but the article mentioned they are targeting non-traditional students.
While this sort of thing doesn't really apply to us, I think its still exciting to see how campuses are shrugging physical campus limitations and expanding through technology. It will be interesting to see how different generations respond to this sort of learning. (Right now, targeting the non-traditionals of Gen-X and Gen-Y might not be the correct fit. I'd imagine the younger Millennials who have grown dependant on computers might be a better marketing target...)
Thoughts? Will Allegheny College ever go global with a remote classroom model?