Discussions OMDE 606

What is meant when some argue that education is a positional good? Do you
agree? Is this compatible with Human Capital Theory?
I agree that it is compatible to Human Capital Theory in that education is the
key that opens up the door to new possibilities for an individuals position
and standing in society. Some look at education as the ticket to enter the
work world. Although, we cant solely rely on education alone for expanding
ones positional good. When I look at Human Capital theory I think of the
demand for workers with skills that help them enter into a certain
occupation. Education provides certain skills, so then education is a
positional good especially if you attain those skills that are necessary to get
the position. I see education as a learning of various tools that give the
learner the necessary foundation for entering the workforce. But education
should never stop due to the technological changes and advancements of
the workforce. There must be some training on each level for certain
occupations. The foundation of education must already be there for growth.
Education provides humans with literacy skills to perform the tasks that are
utilized for work professions. I wouldnt want my doctor to not have gone to
medical school, he/she needs the necessary tools and skills in order to
perform a positional good.

Brown, P., & Lauder, H. (2006). Globalization, knowledge and the myth of the
magnet economy. In H. Lauder, Brown, P., Dillabough, J., Hasley, A. H.
(Ed.), Education, globalization & social change (pp. 317 -330). Oxford:
Oxford University Press

The problem is if "'if everyone stands on tiptoe, nobody gets a

better view." (Brown et al., p. 135): Education is to some
extent a positional good and depends not only on the
competence you have but on the fact that others don't have it.
(I refer less to education as the monetary returns to
education.)
In Huelsmanns (2016) article, he states that appeals to fairness are likely to
offer weak resistance to the coercive laws of competition.
Although DE is a viable option that can handle masses of learners it is
the quality of that DE that matters and the cost of that education.
Educational costs are higher each year for students and competition to
get into the best schools is highly competitive. Distance education is
flexible and that is why many learners are turning to the distance

learning route. Students and employers are finding that the necessary
tools for learning and starting a foundation and entry into the
workforce can begin in a distance learning format. Everyone is not on
board with online learning in some institutions but in order to remain
competitive they will eventually join the distance education community
or lose learners. Education has always depended on who will get it and
might be the downfall of who does not get it. I think more people are
getting an education now than in the sixties, but most get education
now because it is a requirement to getting a job. Some are more willing
than others to get educated, and some see it only as a necessity.
Everyone will not be competent in every subject, so we dont have to
concern ourselves with there not being enough room for learners to get
educated, I believe there will always be room for a better view.
Everyone will not stand on tiptoe at the same time.
Hlsmann, T. (2011). Distance education: From access to accumulation, The
Fourteenth Cambridge International Conference on Open: Distance and
e-Learning Internationalisation and Social Justice: the role of Open,
Distance and E-learning. Cambridge, UK.
Rumble, G. (2007). Social justice, economics and distance education. Open
Learning: The Journal of Open and Distance Learning, 22(2), 167 -176.