NEW YORK TIMES: Next January, the Georgia Institute of Technology plans to offer a master’s degree in computer science through massive open online courses for a fraction of the on-campus cost, a first for an elite institution. If it even approaches its goal of drawing thousands of students, it could signal a change to the landscape of higher education.
From their start two years ago, when a free artificial intelligence course from Stanford enrolled 170,000 students, free massive open online courses, or MOOCs, have drawn millions and yielded results like the perfect scores of Battushig, a 15-year-old Mongolian boy, in a tough electronics course offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
But the courses have not yet produced profound change, partly because they offer no credit and do not lead to a degree. The disruption may be approaching, though, as Georgia Tech, which has one of the country’s top computer science programs, plans to offer a MOOC-based online master’s degree in computer science for $6,600 — far less than the $45,000 on-campus price… (more)
EDITOR: : As we have stated for years, we cannot expect our young people and their families to spring for about $50,000 a year for an away campus education. Nor should they be deprived of the opportunity to attend as good a college or university for which they qualify.
We are no longer in the Renaissance era where sons of the richest families traveled to Paris and London in order to receive an education. Much of what is necessary can be acquired with a lap top… provided credit is given for level of achievement.
A year on a campus is sufficient with perhaps another two to four week stay annually over the next three years until graduation. Labs can be taken at a college or university close to home.
Not only will the teaching in most cases be much better, but through the likes of Skype, follow up session with Teachers Assistants can be interactive.
Our institutions of higher learning will take in more students and many will shrink. So be it.
Incidentally, son Bruce teaches Middle School via the Internet to students from throughout the world, including Uzbekistan and Pakistan. If this works for Middle School, it certainly can work for upper class college students.
The idea of online learning being the new, and cheaper, future is great. If we can in fact get there, particularly on the cheaper front. The problem with online learning is many that are less expensive are not through schools that are considered accredited and therefore FAFSA financial aid can not be used. Financial aid available in those cases relies on checking on someone’s credit score.
If online learning is done through a state university or an accredited college, the tuition is often higher in many cases, bordering on paying the same as an out of state student even if you live down the street from the physical location.
The idea behind online learning and the ease on those who would benefit from is good- if only there were not financial pitfalls to it at present. If the two could eventually balance out, it would be a wonderful thing.
I agree that tuitions prevent too many students from buying the cache associated with a four-year college degree diploma.
Read Shop Craft as Soul Craft or other books that question the value of a 4-year college. We Americans should revert to the German model of apprenticeship after compulsory education through elementary and middle grades.
The problem with MOOCs is that the relationship between student and teacher is either nonexistent or too impersonal. Also, accommodations for students who learn best in different ways (rather than visual) are difficult. It is also hard to accommodate students who may receive assistance prescribed by national law at public universities– think of dyslexia, for example.
I strongly believe that the competition for-profit schools give nonprofit schools is going to put pressure on the public schools. If only every student could afford a private school!s tuition!