Comments on: Skin in the Game http://diyubook.com/2010/06/skin-in-the-game/ Edupunks, Edupreneurs, and the coming transformation of higher education Thu, 18 Jul 2013 18:44:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Nate http://diyubook.com/2010/06/skin-in-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-1045 Nate Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:58:20 +0000 http://diyubook.com/?p=245#comment-1045 I agree whole-heartedly w/ Henry's comments and your leanings towards studying and analyzing the movement. You stand out as a clear voice in the wilderness, keep it up. As a fan and social entrepreneurially-oriented young mind w/ some new (old) ideas for the future of education, I see your talents best utilized not only in a journalist role, but as a Gladwellian Connector for the DIY Edu social entrepreneur community. Hackerspaces are where the magic will happen. Listen and help connect those w/ ideas & passion to those investors w/ slow $$, open-minds and experience. Only then will we be who we think we are ;) I agree whole-heartedly w/ Henry’s comments and your leanings towards studying and analyzing the movement. You stand out as a clear voice in the wilderness, keep it up. As a fan and social entrepreneurially-oriented young mind w/ some new (old) ideas for the future of education, I see your talents best utilized not only in a journalist role, but as a Gladwellian Connector for the DIY Edu social entrepreneur community. Hackerspaces are where the magic will happen. Listen and help connect those w/ ideas & passion to those investors w/ slow $$, open-minds and experience. Only then will we be who we think we are ;)

]]> By: Randy Proto http://diyubook.com/2010/06/skin-in-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-1042 Randy Proto Mon, 05 Jul 2010 04:13:16 +0000 http://diyubook.com/?p=245#comment-1042 I just read your book. I have been in for-profit education for 32 years in diverse roles at many types of institutions. I may be late to the party, but I agree with Henry's comments. Regardless of your choice, you have and will most certainly continue to positively impact higher education. Do what you think you will enjoy most. And if it helps, once in a lifetime opportunities usually come more than once in a lifetime. Particularly for Do It Yourselfers. I just read your book.

I have been in for-profit education for 32 years in diverse roles at many types of institutions.

I may be late to the party, but I agree with Henry’s comments. Regardless of your choice, you have and will most certainly continue to positively impact higher education. Do what you think you will enjoy most.

And if it helps, once in a lifetime opportunities usually come more than once in a lifetime. Particularly for Do It Yourselfers.

]]> By: Brian Kung http://diyubook.com/2010/06/skin-in-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-1015 Brian Kung Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:28:21 +0000 http://diyubook.com/?p=245#comment-1015 Anya, As much as I would follow whatever you do, I have to agree with your inclination to stay where you are. I feel as though no single solution is going to overhaul the entire system...in fact, that's not what we want at all. A diversity in options and experiences is for the best, both for learners and the educational ecosystem. Choosing to side with one for-profit over another removes you from the position we all treasure you for; the ability to oversee the educational landscape...the eduscape?...as a whole. It's been terribly generous of you to report what you see. I hope you keep it up. Best, Brian Kung Anya,

As much as I would follow whatever you do, I have to agree with your inclination to stay where you are.

I feel as though no single solution is going to overhaul the entire system…in fact, that’s not what we want at all. A diversity in options and experiences is for the best, both for learners and the educational ecosystem. Choosing to side with one for-profit over another removes you from the position we all treasure you for; the ability to oversee the educational landscape…the eduscape?…as a whole.

It’s been terribly generous of you to report what you see. I hope you keep it up.

Best,
Brian Kung

]]> By: Mark Notess http://diyubook.com/2010/06/skin-in-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-1014 Mark Notess Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:14:30 +0000 http://diyubook.com/?p=245#comment-1014 What Brett said. What Brett said.

]]> By: admin http://diyubook.com/2010/06/skin-in-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-1012 admin Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:30:11 +0000 http://diyubook.com/?p=245#comment-1012 Henry--Nice catch on the Waiting for Guffman! :) And thanks for the support, as always! Henry–Nice catch on the Waiting for Guffman! :) And thanks for the support, as always!

]]> By: Henry http://diyubook.com/2010/06/skin-in-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-1011 Henry Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:49:02 +0000 http://diyubook.com/?p=245#comment-1011 I've worked in higher education for over 10 years. I can attest to the fact that there is no shortage of frustrated professors, disillusioned administrators, and passionate students who are more than eager press for a change in the status quo. What there is a dire shortage of is competent mapmakers; someone reliable who can help direct all that angst and energy. Your book can and will inspire action; it doesn't have to be action you undertake in order to be valid. You have a unique position--rather than be a extra set of hands working on a groundbreaking initiative, you have the ability to steer countless hands towards one. My personal advice--put some skin in the game only if it seems like it would be more fun than what you're currently doing. But don't do it out of any sense of obligation--you are already serving the cause in a way that few could (and doing a damn fine job of it). PS. I enjoyed the physical descriptions and many non-fiction writers could take a clue from your style. Also, was that a Waiting for Guffman reference cloaked in your post? I’ve worked in higher education for over 10 years. I can attest to the fact that there is no shortage of frustrated professors, disillusioned administrators, and passionate students who are more than eager press for a change in the status quo. What there is a dire shortage of is competent mapmakers; someone reliable who can help direct all that angst and energy.
Your book can and will inspire action; it doesn’t have to be action you undertake in order to be valid. You have a unique position–rather than be a extra set of hands working on a groundbreaking initiative, you have the ability to steer countless hands towards one.
My personal advice–put some skin in the game only if it seems like it would be more fun than what you’re currently doing. But don’t do it out of any sense of obligation–you are already serving the cause in a way that few could (and doing a damn fine job of it).
PS. I enjoyed the physical descriptions and many non-fiction writers could take a clue from your style. Also, was that a Waiting for Guffman reference cloaked in your post?

]]> By: Mike Cosgrave http://diyubook.com/2010/06/skin-in-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-1001 Mike Cosgrave Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:28:28 +0000 http://diyubook.com/?p=245#comment-1001 "For profits" can easily write a biz plan with 'ground breaking' elements, but when the chips are down, they may just want to use your cred to boost their image - how much real input would you have? Then again, you can watch it, and regret not making it better, or you can get in the game and at least say you did your best to make it happen, either with the for profits or the monks. Bill Gates is not a technology journalist, neither is Steve Jobs. Being in the game does not prevent you from writing a followup book (worst case being a book about how hard it was to change the system?) If you have a vision and you are the one on the top of the wave, then you should wax up the board and ride it. Most people only get one shot at that. (and the rest of us just peddle the most appaling sequences of cliches in blog comments:-) ) Mike “For profits” can easily write a biz plan with ‘ground breaking’ elements, but when the chips are down, they may just want to use your cred to boost their image – how much real input would you have?

Then again, you can watch it, and regret not making it better, or you can get in the game and at least say you did your best to make it happen, either with the for profits or the monks. Bill Gates is not a technology journalist, neither is Steve Jobs.

Being in the game does not prevent you from writing a followup book (worst case being a book about how hard it was to change the system?)

If you have a vision and you are the one on the top of the wave, then you should wax up the board and ride it. Most people only get one shot at that.

(and the rest of us just peddle the most appaling sequences of cliches in blog comments:-) )

Mike

]]> By: Bill Fitzgerald http://diyubook.com/2010/06/skin-in-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-1000 Bill Fitzgerald Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:58:01 +0000 http://diyubook.com/?p=245#comment-1000 I'd be very wary of going to work for an educational startup founded on the premise of "reinventing education." At what point do business imperatives (aka, make a profit for investors) overtake sound, sustainable educational practice? From my experience and observation, it's pretty early in the game, and once that happens, the re-inventors become the perpetuators of the status quo (although with better marketing copy). I'd second Bryan Alexander's suggestion: a follow up book. Cheers, Bill I’d be very wary of going to work for an educational startup founded on the premise of “reinventing education.”

At what point do business imperatives (aka, make a profit for investors) overtake sound, sustainable educational practice? From my experience and observation, it’s pretty early in the game, and once that happens, the re-inventors become the perpetuators of the status quo (although with better marketing copy).

I’d second Bryan Alexander’s suggestion: a follow up book.

Cheers,

Bill

]]> By: brett http://diyubook.com/2010/06/skin-in-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-999 brett Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:55:00 +0000 http://diyubook.com/?p=245#comment-999 Two sentences stand out: "I want to sit next to the guys who are reinventing higher education, and study them" and "I don't need any more money". Sounds like an easy decision to me. Two sentences stand out:

“I want to sit next to the guys who are reinventing higher education, and study them” and “I don’t need any more money”.

Sounds like an easy decision to me.

]]> By: Bryan Alexander http://diyubook.com/2010/06/skin-in-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-998 Bryan Alexander Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:42:02 +0000 http://diyubook.com/?p=245#comment-998 Would you consider a followup book on education? Perhaps seeing what developed over a couple of years, or focusing on some key issues, or answering critics...? Would you consider a followup book on education? Perhaps seeing what developed over a couple of years, or focusing on some key issues, or answering critics…?

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