I was listening to a lecture on iTunes U last night about the history of Christianity. In general, I'm impressed with the ability of anyone with an internet connection to sit in on college courses like this. I was reminded while listening, though, how much college courses themselves have changed in the past few decades.
The recording was from the late '80s -- and it included a warning at the beginning that it would stop when the tape needed to be turned over. I didn't make it that far, but I did hear the instructor telling his students which books to look for if they wanted more information on the subject.
And he meant it. Because in the 80s, you'd have to find these books for more info, unlike now when you might be able to download them, or find a journal article online, look at Wikipedia, or find an iTunes U course. The internet has dramatically transformed in a short amount of time what is possible in a college course and what can be expected from students.
Outside of classrooms, some basic resources and education are needed to access and exploit the vast information available now, but it has certainly made acquiring information less expensive and more universally possible.
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