Lawmakers there are considering a proposal that would allow students to replace some introductory courses with MOOCs in the state’s three higher education systems, which together enroll nearly 1 million students. Proponents of the plan, including California Gov. Jerry Brown and State Sen. Darrell Steinberg, say it could relieve stress from overenrolled classes, but it passed through the State Senate despite resistance from faculty leaders. Opponents say MOOCs cannot always replicate engagement students receive in a physical classroom, and that the online classes are not the answer to years of budget cuts that have devastated state universities’ funding. One of those opponents, University of California Academic Senate Chair Bob Powell, said at a State Senate hearing that the system is already moving toward effective use of online education — without MOOCs. But at the same hearing, Steinberg hinted at a different reason some professors might oppose his bill: He thinks they fear for their jobs.

Read full article [here].
by Sean McMinn, USA Today.

Posted: July 12th, 2013, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.