Have always thought education was a two way street. Just because education is moving online hasn't changed that view. When it comes to a students or teachers use of technology, then *all* need to raise their level of 'technical understanding'. Hmmmm ... that usually is a side product of that two way street as teachers *can* learn from students - and there is nothing wrong with that - matter of fact, sharing knowledge of technical issues might actually improve student/teacher relations (the human side of online education).
Depends upon ones view ... and $ students have to spend on commercial products to be able to take a course. Requiring certain document mimetypes does, in affect, make the course more expensive (to the student - hidden cost). Wonder how many students decide NOT to take a course because of that added cost (if they knew about it in advance). Students will naturally, like all of us would (should), look for a free alternative (missing from the list ... Google Docs?).
Was a witness (and involved in 'solving an issue') to an event which ended up (in the middle of a semester) costing an ISD thousands of $ more for a video conferencing/duel credit course offered by a local junior college. Prof sent a .docx to the facilitator that couldn't be opened because the facilitators computer didn't have the latest/greatest MS Office. Prof refused to 'save as' but instead insisted he NOT change, but the ISD/class 'adjust'. ISD had to purchase 16 copies of an upgrade to office to facilitate. Had a domino affect in that the computers students were using also had to get an upgrade. More $.
And why did that happen ... Prof wouldn't 'save as'!!! 'tightly controlled COE's' days are numbered ... period.
Just my two cents ...
'spirit of sharing', Ken