Are the costs of 'free' too high in online education?

Reviewer: Stewart Mark Godwin

To answer the question in the title, the author considers many examples of free products, which he suggests are "free, but not free." This means that the costs of the free product are incorporated into other items in the product range. So, in effect, the cost of free online education will be borne by the institution, and result in an increase in fees and charges in other areas. The arguments posed by the author are well founded and follow the development of many free products over several decades. It is the larger well-established educational institutions that are going to benefit from the use and marketing of free learning via the Internet, but this development could leave smaller players vulnerable to decreasing student numbers and falling revenues. When education becomes a commodity, the pragmatic approach is to use marketing strategies to attract and retain customers. This type of strategy has the potential to destroy less prominent educational institutions, as well as alter the variety and choices in the higher education market. In conclusion, the free online learning option will remain part of the educational landscape, but should become a complement to traditional education rather than an alternative. This commentary reflects the disquiet in the education space. Anyone involved in education should read it, as it will undoubtedly impact all aspects of future education. Online Computing Reviews Service