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Leaving aside any business models it is not clear that such free courses are: 1. Educationally effective if attrition rates are so high and if in all probability those that succeed are already educationally advantaged ( how many had no or few previous qualifications) 2. Educationally efficient if attrition rates are so high despite a claimed 1:50,000 tutor:student ratio 3. Educationally efficacious for society if the advantaged benefit but the disadvantaged do not. If attrition rates are so high for one course what would they be for a whole degree? Would any quality assurance agency or accreditation body deem such levels to be acceptable? Open and distance teaching universities have struggled with such issues for 40+ years (with some having fees paid for them) and such free courses may survive as informal or non formal adult education but are unlikely to undermine HEIs core regulated credit teaching business Andy Sent from my iPad On 23 Jul 2012, at 17:45, "Robert Robertson" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hi Fred, > > I'm not as up to speed as normal on this but having been reading this > article on Cousera... > > http://chronicle.com/article/How-an-Upstart-Company-Might/133065/ > > Thus far I think that there are quite a few questions about Cousera's > approach and business model which bear careful reflection. > > Kind regards, > John > > > > On Mon, Jul 23, 2012 at 11:04 AM, Fred Riley > <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >> I spotted the news story below on the Facebook page of an educator: >> >> UK university joins US online partnership >> http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-18857999 >> >> I'd not heard of Coursera before, but I'm sure folk on here have. Do you have any opinions/musings/info that can be shared? The story says that it's a descendant of MITx which has been mentioned on this list. >> >> Cheers >> >> Fred Riley >> Learning Technologist >> School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy, University of Nottingham >> Vcard: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/nursing/sonet/about/fr_uon.vcf >> >> This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please send it back to me, and immediately delete it. Please do not use, copy or disclose the information contained in this message or in any attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. >> >> This message has been checked for viruses but the contents of an attachment >> may still contain software viruses which could damage your computer system: >> you are advised to perform your own checks. Email communications with the >> University of Nottingham may be monitored as permitted by UK legislation. > > > > -- > > R. John Robertson > ePortfolio and Online Learning Support > Learning Technologies > University of Wisconsin Oshkosh > 920-424-0487 > Twitter: @kavubob > Skype: rjohnrobertson -- The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302).