The University of California will unveil its first top-tier cyber courses in January – 26 online offerings, from global climate change to game theory. At the same time, it’s eyeing China and even American soldiers as potential sources of cash to pay for them… the ability to educate large numbers of people cheaply via the Internet is stirring a national debate about its possibilities in an era of reduced public funding. One influential voice is Harvard’s Clayton Christensen, who argues in his new book, “The Innovative University: Changing the DNA of Higher Education,” that shifting to cyberspace can be a lifesaving business decision for campuses buried under rising costs. But to UC faculty who already question the wisdom of online instruction – how to prevent cheating is just one concern – the idea that it’s a cash cow is far-fetched. And the fact that UC is laying out millions of dollars after promising to tap outside sources is beyond irritating.

Read full article [here].
by Nanette Asimov, The San Francisco Chronicle.

Posted: September 12th, 2011, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.