This post from Amy Ahean offers a futuristic view of higher education. She sees a three-tier model – basic education likely to be free, credentialed skills focused education, and enhanced residential education.
As I understand her model, the reference to iTunes mostly focuses on the middle tier. She cites Lynda.com, SkillsShare, and Ed2Go as present examples. I used Lynda.com for years mostly to develop programming and technology skills – I completed multiple courses focused on PHP, MySQL, CSS, and Dreamweaver. I paid $25 a month for an “all you can eat” approach. Some months I consumed a lot and some nothing at all.
I had not considered what it must be like to create content for these platforms. Is is kind of like teaching online, but your presentations are recorded and there is no actual interaction with students. Perhaps it would be more like authoring a textbook which I do understand. The EdSurge columnist compares more to what a musician experiences when their products are available via iTunes. The platform makes most of the income.
I am out of higher ed now and still teach a course now and then as an adjunct. I understand the feeling of being at the whims of the platform, but I am sure teaching by the course is better than being recorded once and then receiving a compensated based on views. If this is the future of higher education, I am glad I am watching and commenting from the sidelines. No way to make a living even if you already have the income to be comfortable.