If you have to pay for exams then how is it free ? - there's already a wide range of course material on-line available for free. The material isn't the issue.
The idea is to be an actual replacement of a brick and mortar college where anyone can give an exam anytime they want when they feel ready, instead of being forced to go through months of "learning". If you fail a course exam, you can give the exam again next week (albiet different questionnaires).
Other ideas:
- FAQ sections where students can send in questions on each course which can be answered in the form of video/text. Have enough of those over time and it replaces the need to have one-on-one interactions with instructors with questions.
- Add social aspect to the "online school" where students can see if there are others in his area studying or have passed the same course that he/she can meet up for a study group.
- Online forums, Chat (moderated) on each courses with instant feedback.
- Let companies/individuals/employer "sponsor" each course/major. Lets say each exam costs $100-$200, Google/MS can give away 100 free exams to encourage people to study computer science.
- All materials is open for everyone to see, read, study, participate. Students only pay for exams.
Just brainstorming.... We can dream, right? :)
As a teacher, I may have a vested interest in your being wrong; but I think that 'replaces' should be 'reduces' here.
EDIT: Also, I whole-heartedly agree with your vision of universal accessibility of education.
Good thing you pointed it out. I failed to explain myself better how I wanted the FAQ to work. It shouldn't be static, but rather the quality of the FAQ will get better as students/educators suggests ways to improve/amend existing questions and will be updated accordingly (think moderated wiki). Any single question doesn't need to have one answer, but can have different take on the same question from different people. It can be in the form of videos or Texts. As for the educational resources itself (which will be different from the FAQ) will be made by educators in their respective fields.
Thats the way I was thinking about it, but not the way it came out. Regardless, I agree with you that in-person education experience is unique that can-not be replaces by other means (as far as experience is concerned), but the quality can definitely be improved, when the education resources is fine-tuned for the experience of learning as opposed to the experience of an education institute and everything that comes with it.
I am serious about this and I want this to happen, I am currently working on proposals and fine-tuning my ideas/plans of action to get some funds going to start working on something rudimentary and get feedback on it. Keep your eyes open for me :).