At the end of “The Economist” study, the author writes that technology will change what it means to be “an educated person” in the 21st century. What are some factors that will be considered when defining this “educated person” in the 2000s? How will this change affect college graduates from 30 years ago?
Several of the articles we read discussed the issue of credit hours and competency. Does being in a classroom for x-number of hours really prove that learning has occurred? Should credits be awarded solely based on competency or should a certain amount of “classroom” (either traditional or virtual) time be required?
Critics of online classes often express a concern that the most vulnerable students suffer in the online environment because of the lack of professor-student interactions. Considering this, should students fulfill other requirements (proving they can succeed without the direct interaction) before being permitted to take online courses?
One statistic stated that 72% of MOOC professors believed that students should NOT be given credit for the completion of their MOOC course. Rather, most MOOCs award certificates for completion. How do these certifications get translated in the work force? Where do MOOCs fit in with the rest of higher education? Do MOOCs equate to credit-bearing courses, audited courses, or some other type of college class?
One article discussed the ethics of MOOCs and how they are operated. Do MOOCs function independently of an institution? If they do, should MOOCs carry their own mission statement and admissions requirements?
