This week we have an embarrassment of riches on the Future Trends Forum. There will be two (2) guests, and each is both fascinating and important.
To begin with, today (May 30th) the Forum gets a close look at a new education and technology project. MissionU is in the spotlight, and from 2-3 pm EDT, we will be joined by Adam Braun, MissionU‘s cofounder.
Some biographical background: Adam Braun is a New York Times bestselling author and the Founder & CEO of MissionU. He was previously Founder & CEO of Pencils of Promise, the award-winning organization that has built nearly 400 schools around the world. He has been featured as a speaker at The White House, the United Nations and the Clinton Global Initiative.
Today I plan on asking Adam about the thinking and strategy behind MissionU. How can it offer an undergraduate education in one year? How does the income-based repayment system work? What kinds of student are they looking for, and what outcomes do they anticipate?
What questions would you like to ask? You can join us from 2-3 pm EDT today.
Then this Thursday, June 1, we’ll be joined at last by Tressie McMillan Cottom to discuss her new book, and our current book club reading, Lower Ed.
Some biographical background on her: Tressie McMillan Cottom, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University and faculty associate with Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. Her research on higher education, work and technological change in the new economy has been supported by the Microsoft Research Network’s Social Media Collective, The Kresge Foundation, the American Educational Research Association and the UC Davis Center for Poverty Research. Millions List, a leader in publishing, named her book “Lower Ed: The Troubling Rise of For-Profit Colleges in the New Economy” one of the most anticipated non-fiction books of 2016. She has published on race/class/gender, education, and technology in the new economy. McMillan Cottom is also co-editor of two academic books: “Digital Sociologies” from Policy Press and “For Profit U” from Palgrave MacMillan. She speaks extensively, including recent invitations to The White House, South Africa, New Zealand, and Italy. Her public scholarship has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Slate, and The Atlantic to name a few.
I plan to ask professor Cottom about the issues raised in her book, from lower ed’s dependence on higher ed to where she sees the sector headed.
What would you like to ask? On Thursday, from 2-3 pm EDT, you can join us and inquire.
Intrigued by and will try but may need to pass on MissionU/Braun — I have a post cataract surgery check-in appointment with ophthalmologist.
Thank you for the comment in session.
How did the appointment go?
well, thank you — this was the second eye. the next visit in 2 weeks should include prescription for reading glasses — after 20+ years of over the counter magnifying ones.
Interesting – I would want to know how this would work in rural areas should it take off or will it be another urban centered initiative geared toward well-prepared students from elite schools and leave areas with poor connectivity and limited K-12 education investment behind.
Good question, Heidi.
In the session Adam described a very major-city-oriented school. When someone asked if this was neglecting the countryside, his response included the phrase “that’s reality”.
Thank you for the follow-up. That’s very telling!
Yes.
I’d like to ask him about that. Was he thinking of the huge demographic shift of people to cities?