Comments on: Even the professors behind massive online classes aren’t sure they should count for credit

By: Freeland

Freeland — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:23:28 +0000

@Paul Agree! TBH does credit from their institutions really matter in the real world?

With grade inflations rampant at most Universities (partiually due to higher grades given to obtain better student evaluations of teaching) should anyone count credits at Universities?

http://www.mnsu.edu/cetl/teachingresources/articles/gradeinflation.html

By: Suse Cairns

Suse Cairns — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:34:22 +0000

@julian – The thing that universities do is legitimise knowledge. The teaching isn’t the powerful bit. It’s the fact that the university can say whether someone does or does not have the knowledge that matters. Creating a MOOC doesn’t threaten the authority of the institution as a legitimising body; giving credit to anyone who completes an online course does, because it somewhat devalues what the university trades in.

By: paul martin

paul martin — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 03:40:51 +0000

@Julian Assessment is hard work: feedback + feedback

By: Julian

Julian — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:07:11 +0000

I would like to understand the reasons they gave for not wanted to credit online courses? It is down to online courses not achieving the same standards (easier to cheat, etc) or because they want to with hold the credit for the paying customers?

By: Area Man

Area Man — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:49:21 +0000

I’m sure reasons for taking these classes vary, but a lot of the people I’m in a class w/ right now (Calculus) don’t care about credit. Some are taking the class as a refresher, some as a prelude to taking the “real” class next semester. I’m taking it because I want to learn other things that require a basic understanding of Calculus.

Similarly, my employer doesn’t care as long as I have the skills to make stuff happen.

Great research though; this stuff is really early stages and already shows a lot of promise.

By: brown_te

brown_te — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:15:22 +0000

I’d be interested in hearing what their perception of the gap would be – compared, for example, to an online Master’s program from a well-regarded institution.

By: Kindroid

Kindroid — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:53:59 +0000

Pretty self serving on the part of these Professors. They want all the upside….but none of the downside. Done in the environment of competition, MOOC will have a significant impact on education costs.