Ask HN: Review my startup idea. I had a professor who graduated from University of Cambridge, where they use a tutorial style course system, (for more information check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tutorial_system, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Cambridge#Teaching, and http://oxcheps.new.ox.ac.uk/Publications/Resources/OxCHEPS_OP1_08.pdf (PDF)) which I think would work really well on the web. The two main concerns I have are recruiting professors, and keeping tuition low while covering all financial bases. I'll admit, I have no clue what to look for in a professor other than the proper degrees and experience, and even if I do find qualified people, how do I convince them to join a new college? I'm not mentioning potentiiial professors not knowing the tutorial system yet, because I imagine most in the USA don't, they'll have to be trained. Resources I found online (forgive me, I don't know how to add links.): * How to start an online college - http://www.ehow.com/how_4759165_start-online-college.html * School start-up consultancy - http://www.halladayeducationgroup.com/school_ser_form.php?gclid=CPvQkPe1lpgCFQETGgodmUX5mQ * The accreditation process and it's benefits - http://www.worldwidelearn.com/accreditation/accreditation-process-benefits.htm * How to start your own online college - http://melbrown1.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Start-Your-Own-Online-College A tl;dr for those who didn't read the two wikipedia articles I linked to earlier. * Students write an entrance essay on a topic set by the professor. * Professor grades the essays based on criteria layed out in the syllabus and picks the top three. * Students and professor meet weekly to talk about last week's assignment, the students are give given a new assignment with a new set of source books and websites. * Additional exercises may be added based on the course. * It's just a pass or fail grade, there is no a,b,c,d,f scale as seen elsewhere. Should I start this business? Keep in mind I know nothing about how the college system works. As always, comments, critisism, ideas, and resources are appreciated. thank you. |