DU?

A technology article in the Chronicle describes the growth of online "universities;" video-based sites conceived and produced by professors and non-professors that function beyond the auspices of "real" universities. These have grown into such partnerships as Coursera and Udacity, and spawned distant cousins like the YouTube channel Crash Course; all owing their lineage to the Khan Academy.

The freedom to develop a curriculum independent of university constraints and to create a learning experience on their own terms may be redefining what college might become. Indeed, one proponent

'pictures a day when professors routinely make videos to explain their latest research findings to supplement their scholarly papers. "In less than five years most papers of every note will have a five-minute video," Mr. Cowen predicts. "People can view it, rewind, rewatch, relisten. You can show it to classes."

Even for a small-time operator like myself, the rewards and opportunities are similar.  Creating mini-lessons, think-alouds, demonstrations, and "revelations" to post online offer my students the chance to learn, relearn, and respond to my ideas on their own time.