The state of California is taking a look at how massive
open online courses (MOOCs) can provide credit for students and revenue for its
institutions. A deal between San Jose State University and Udacity to test
courses for credit and a fee comes at a the same time the community college
system is exploring how MOOCs can help the hundreds of thousands of students who
have been unable to enroll because of cuts in government funding.
At San Jose State, a pilot program has been created for
three entry-level courses—math, elementary statistics, and college algebra—that
allows students to take the Udacity online course and earn academic credit. The
cost is $150 per student with the pilot limiting enrollment to 100 students per
course. It’s hoped the program can help students succeed in remedial courses
that often have long waiting lists and high failure rates.
The courses are designed by SJSU professors and use the
Udacity online platform. The MOOCs will include videos that let students work
at their own pace, while mentors will be available for student sessions,
according to a report in
eCampus News.
“This could be not the solution, but the key part of
the solution,” said Gov. Jerry Brown at a press conference. “We know that,
because of the billions we’re spending on schools, we have the right to better
results.”
The community college effort includes “challenge exams”
that allow students to prove they can pass for credit. The MOOCs would prepare students
for the exams and providers could modify the course to the exam.
While some community college faculty members have
voiced concerns about the initiative, the Academic
Senate, which represents community college instructors, is so far satisfied with
the system’s approach.
“We have a good dialogue with the chancellor’s office,”
said Michelle Pilati, president of the Academic Senate and professor of
psychology at Rio Hondo College. “As far as we know, there is nothing moving
forward that we would take issue with.”
