syrinx

It's also getting cheaper and easier to organize course content and various interactive functions for the web, e.g., e-Office Hours offers a free alternative to expensive course management systems and also organizational tools for students that are independent of particular institutions. Edublog offers a free blog + wiki system designed specifically for educators. I think we will see a blossoming of really fine, free or very cheap educational materials and experiences put out by individuals, organizations, institutions, businesses.

Perhaps what will become important for professional qualification will be assessment by independent bodies, rather than precisely how one gets educated. For example, one might write a number of papers and sit an examination for a week (oral and written) to be certified for the equivalent of a BA in English. The independent bodies would set the standards for professional qualifications much as happens now when certain programs must be certified. The difference would be that these bodies wouldn't set or review curricula but rather would focus on the goals of the educational process and on assessment, which would help to raise standards generally. 'Fun to think about the possibilities, anyway.