Quote from: jackthebeanstalk on August 07, 2013, 01:35:49 AM

There is already coursera, udacity etc, I doubt this is needed.

Having some new things available does not necessarily obviate older or other things. Interestingly, right now many of the largest universities in the world (in terms of enrollment) are in fact Open, distance-learning institutions.

Quote from: Mike Christ on August 07, 2013, 01:58:52 AM

We have books, so physical schools aren't really needed; having a personal instructor to talk to, however, is something different.

I think one needs all of the above (including some physical schools, physical books, physical industry, etc.) We need the "virtual" equivalents, too; each complements the other. The same goes for instruction, in fact: as you note there is no substitute for talking to an actual (competent) instructor, but you also need to spend an equal number of hours by yourself reading / doing homework.