Points earned through Tesco‘s Clubcard loyalty scheme can now be applied to fees at the Open University. (The Guardian, OU press release). While I have my doubts about the privacy aspects of loyalty cards, not to mention the planning-related activities of Tesco and other supermarkets, this is an interesting, fun and useful development.
If part-time and distance learning activities need to be supported by fees (noting, of course, that the OU has many, elaborate systems of financial support), then simplifying the methods of ‘payment’ is a significant change that the OU or other institutions can make. It is not to say that higher education should be funded through consumerism – of course, that would be silly and a little controversial. However, recognising that millions of people do collect supermarket ‘points’, the question is “why not?” They may wish to engage in Open University study and pay through private loans, or through drawing pictures and selling them, or whatever – it’s a personal choice. In the absence of a universal, free system of part-time higher education, this has the potential to ease the financial position of some potential students. I won’t say that I’m comfortable with Tesco profiting from this – but I do think that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Do you?
Possibly I might be more/less worried if I knew the parameters involved. How many cans of beans do I have to buy before I’ve paid for a 60-credit course towards a BA?
A better question might be: given the value to Tesco of the personal data involved, are the points fair recompense? It’s clear from surveys that people are willing enough to surrender personal data in return for SOMETHING (free pen, 50p off the next frozen pizza they buy, whatever) but they might take a different attitude if Tesco are profiting much more from the deal. What do we know on this? And does it make things better or worse if there are others in the market, including the OU, who will sell goods/services in return for points?
S