The University of Nothing

by DanReich on December 23, 2008

in Education,Free Ideas,Think

I’m founding a school called the University of Nothing.

This is a school that teaches no subject matter directly. Instead, this university will teach you how to learn, and while learning how to learn, you will indirectly learn something else.

My past 4 years in college, I’ve learned by a process that I will call cram-sorption learning. Information is given to you (for the most part) and it’s up to you to learn it (or cram for it) and spit it back on tests. The reality is, after that test is over, many people forget everything they’ve just learned.

Students and schools today should learn through a process which I will call discovery learning. A process by which no information is given, except for an overall goal or objective. In this model, students will be required to do whatever is necessary to find, learn, and complete the task. Accessible Information has become so huge, widespread, and abundant, that I could learn anything I wanted to if I just knew how to look and if I applied a different way of thinking.

If this is successful, my students of the University of Nothing will be prepared to prepare themselves for any job or new career no matter what the situation.

Applications available soon…

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{ 6 comments }

bnputek December 23, 2008 at 8:17 am

The typical problem with this approach is that people need to be taught just enough first in order to use what they find, a foundation upon which to construct their own architectural wonder if you will.

upsidetrader December 23, 2008 at 8:20 am

lol and true

Andy Monfried December 23, 2008 at 8:22 am

please send me an application. i can teach a virtual course of the “essence of nothing.”

and “enjoying nothing.”

2 critical elements of life.

andy

stacer25s December 23, 2008 at 9:45 am

Dreich your discovery learning is what i call ” Graduate School”….. i totally agree with your undergrad cram-sorbtion…

Daniel Reich December 24, 2008 at 8:26 am

Testing a comment with the new Facebook Connect

huangqin July 15, 2009 at 6:46 am

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