Can MOOCs lead to graduate school?

[jesse73]

But not all universities/colleges have courses which are Harvard-level.

As in everyone gets a B+ or better.

Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[IGU]

You don't want to argue this point in regards to MOOCs since there are a lot of known issues with cheating in MOOCs.

MOOCs relatively soon won't have any problems with grades or cheating because assessment and credentials will be done separately from the teaching. Courses designed and administered for those who wish to learn, with no regard to cheating prevention, will be so much better.

People who take the classes will be those who wish to learn. Wow, what a thought. People who wish grades and degrees will deal with assessment and credentialing entities that don't teach anything. Chances are that their assessments will be tailored to industries and organizations who care.

Cheaters will have to target those entities, which can ratchet up the requirements for identity and proof of achievement in parallel with the importance of the credential they are handing out.

 

[jesse73]

I am confused by your comment. It seems like your comment defines MOOC's as the uncredentialed version which won't have problems with cheating because people are only there to learn. In this case MOOC's won't count towards anything still. It is also a shaky and idealistic assumption that people won't cheat because they are there solely to learn since cheating has been a problem in MOOC's before they even started giving certificates of completion.

 

[IGU]

I am confused by your comment. It seems like your comment defines MOOC's as the uncredentialed version which won't have problems with cheating because people are only there to learn. In this case MOOC's won't count towards anything still.

No, I'm saying that learning and assessment are heading towards being decoupled. MOOCs are for learning. Assessment and credentialing will happen elsewhere. It's not that way yet, but the whole thing is very new and changing rapidly.

It is also a shaky and idealistic assumption that people won't cheat because they are there solely to learn since cheating has been a problem in MOOC's before they even started giving certificates of completion.

Cheating will still happen, but it will be in the assessment and credentialing process. Teachers and students will no longer have to worry about it. This will make life much less stupid. You can't cheat at learning because the only meaningful part is internal to you.

But it's quite true that I'm just speculating here. The world is changing, but exactly how it will end up is a mystery.