In a recent report published by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education (http://www.highereducation.org/reports/iron_triangle/index.shtml), college presidents spoke about costs, access, and the quality of higher education. The consensus in the report was that college presidents viewed those three aspects as an Iron Triangle - dependent upon one another and impossible to break.

After reading the report, it is clear that folks in traditional education just aren't getting it. The report admitted that the public views most traditional colleges as extremely inefficient and not focused on students. Institutions appear to care more about innovations, research, community service, and sports - and less and less about students and education.
 
It shouldn’t be that difficult. The three arms of the triangle can be broken apart and re-assembled into a model that is extremely low cost, provides easy access (due to the cost) to almost all interested students, and can be of high quality as well. The key to this model is to realize that education does not have to be delivered in a traditional campus-based environment with a One-Size-Fits-All curriculum.

Today’s advanced society needs flexible education that is mobile and tailored to fit individual learning styles. We need flexible curriculum - and we need to develop communities of faculty and students, who are the real stakeholders of education.

All of this can be done with technology tools that are available today. The 21st century model of business relies on user experience and partnership revenue streams. Develop a group of like-minded users, connect them in a meaningful way, and provide them with tools to lift them up and beyond - all of this can be done at a very low cost and with very high quality.

So...what we really need to do is to apply this 21st century model to education. Let’s pull groups of like-minded students together; give them the tools to develop their skills; provide them with quality faculty to guide and mentor them; and provide both students and faculty with opportunities to access those services that they need. Well, my friends – we at Andrew Jackson University have this scenario figured out and are paving the way. AJU students get a top-notch educational experience using the tools which we provide. Our faculty avoid the perils of campus-based politics and can focus on their passion – teaching. All of this, at a cost that is extremely low - and a value that is through the roof.

Yes, we can Take Education Anywhere because we have the model, the pedagogy, the faculty,  and the passion to be the 21st century leader. Andrew Jackson University is the best online educator in the world, and may soon be considered simply the best education anywhere, at the lowest price.

Happy studying, 

Don