Carter, D. (2009) Learning without a license eCampus News, September
An article on two new, tuition-free open universities, the University of the People and Peer2Peer University (P2PU), asking whether they are a challenge to traditional universities. The answer, of course is no, not yet, because the do not have accreditation in the USA, nor do they offer (yet) a wide range of programs.
However, they are likely to be attractive to students from developing countries, and for students in the US who are self-learners and not interested so much in the qualification as the educational experience.
It should be noted that the article makes no mention of any of the already existing 30 or so open universities outside the USA that have been successful.
Dr. Tony Bates is the author of eleven books in the field of online learning and distance education. He has provided consulting services specializing in training in the planning and management of online learning and distance education, working with over 40 organizations in 25 countries. Tony is a Research Associate with Contact North | Contact Nord, Ontario’s Distance Education & Training Network.
