Despite related concerns over lessening the prestige of the Harvard name, many of the speakers said they still felt Harvard should be more open in disseminating information and resources online.

“Yes, it will dilute the brand name. Yes, we should do it,” said William W. Fisher III, professor of law and faculty director for the Berkman Center.

Pforzheimer University Professor and Director of Harvard University Library Sidney H. Verba ’53 said he wants to make Harvard’s library resources available to the world through the Internet, including some of Harvard’s rare historical artifacts and original manuscripts.

“Harvard serves its own purposes by serving the world...We are an international institution, not a local institution,” Verba said.

Some panelists compared Harvard to the Ferrari company, saying that it pursues an aggressive policy of brand name protection.

They also argued that Harvard should be less exclusive in sharing its academic advancements.

Saying that doctors often provide inadequate medical care to patients, Harvard Medical School Professor Anthony L. Komaroff said he hopes the Medical School make information and general advice in maintaining a healthy lifestyle available digitally .

“They’re not looking for a Harvard degree...they’re not even looking for a Harvard education. They’re just looking for an answer,” Komaroff said of the patients who would potentially use this resource.

Professors also demonstrated ways they use technology to aid their classes, which include animated diagrams of DNA strands, films of field trips that some students could not attend and interactive portfolio managers.

“[These Internet tools] are a more interesting way than reading out of a book about basic concepts,” said Judy E. Stahl, chief information officer at Harvard Business School. “Students can use them any time they want.”

But Stahl said these tools would not replace the traditional classroom instruction.

“My bet would be that the larger application will be as a complement and supplement to traditional education, rather than a replacement,” Summers added.