228 - Michael Horn on Choosing College

Oct 30, 2019

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Today on the podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Michael Horn! Michael has been a thought leader in education from the day Clayton Christensen took him on as a co-author of Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns. After the book came out in 2008, Michael went on to lead the education practice at the Christensen Institute for a dozen years. Four years ago, after writing a paper called, “Disrupting College,” with Christensen, Michael shifted the majority of his time to advising higher education leaders. Horn’s newest book, Choosing College: How to Make Better Learning Decisions Throughout Your Life, informs college choosers as well as college leaders.

In this episode, Tom and Michael speak about Michael’s books — from the process of writing them to the biggest takeaways from them. Michael also speaks about his time spent at Christensen Institute, what disruptive innovation is and why it is so important, and why college may not be the right choice for all students right away after high school. He also touches on how the higher ed landscape is changing.

Tune in for Michael’s thoughtful analysis of the complex college landscape!

Key Takeaways:

[:15] About today’s episode with Michael Horn!

[:50] Tom welcomes Michael Horn to the podcast!

[1:15] Where did Michael go to high school?

[1:28] Why did Michael decide to go to Yale University?

[2:30] What was Michael’s musical interest that drew him to Yale?

[2:58] What job did Michael want a Harvard MBA for?

[4:12] Is Harvard Business School where Michael met Clayton Christensen?

[5:08] Tom and Michael speak about the early process of writing Disrupting Class.

[5:57] Michael speaks about the experience of working on Disrupting Class with Clay.

[6:43] Michael speaks about his time spent at Christensen Institute.

[7:12] Michael’s biggest takeaway from a dozen years spent at Christensen Institute.

[8:08] Tom and Michael discuss what disruptive innovation is and why it is so important.

[9:12] Why did Michael make the shift from K-12 to higher-ed in the last four years?

[10:57] Tom and Michael discuss how reimagining higher ed may be the key to transforming the secondary school experience.

[13:18] Why college may not be the right choice for all students right away after high school.

[14:52] Why Michael decided to write a book more for college seekers rather than college operators.

[17:50] Michael outlines the five reasons why students decide to go to college from his book, Choosing College.

[20:12] Michael speaks about the guidance gap in high school and how he thinks high school advisors, educators, and guidance counselors understand this.

[23:55] What high school should be at its core.

[26:24] Michael responds to criticism of his book, Choosing College.

[27:00] Tom and Michael speak about why high schools should be helping students understand their sense of purpose and the importance of making a contribution to the world.

[29:40] Tom and Michael speak about the shift to life-long learning in education.

[31:25] Michael gives his take on Ryan Craig’s book, A New U.

[36:30] How the higher ed landscape is changing and how the lines are blurring between high school and college.

[38:04] Lightning Round! Tom asks Michael: ‘Why didn’t online learning transform secondary education,’ ‘Why hasn’t blended learning completed transformed K-8 education,’ ‘Why hasn’t competency-based learning transformed K-12 yet,’ ‘Will AR and VR be a big part of the education and training landscape in 2025,’ ‘Will everyone have a blockchain profile in 2025?,’ ‘What percentage of high schools in 2025 will not be structured entirely around traditional courses and credits,’ and ‘Will there be a larger percentage of post-secondary options that are competency-based by 2025?’

[46:40] Tom thanks Michael for joining the Getting Smart Podcast!

Want to Learn More About Higher Education? Listen to:

Episode 215: “Connie Yowell and Paul LeBlanc on Extending Access to Higher Ed from Chicago to Rwanda ”