Top universities continue to invest in massive online courses

Global Business

When massive open online courses, known as ‘MOOCs’, first emerged there was talk of a new revolution in online learning that would make education more affordable and accessible. Some even suggested it could mark the beginning of the end of college campuses. However recent reports show that ‘MOOCs’ aren’t very effective at keeping students’ attention. Despite the reports, Harvard University continues to heavily invest time and money in releasing MOOCs. CCTV America’s Karina Huber has more from Boston.

Top universities continue to invest in massive online courses

When massive open online courses, known as 'MOOCs', first emerged there was talk of a new revolution in online learning that would make education more affordable and accessible. Some even suggested it could mark the beginning of the end of college campuses. However recent reports show that 'MOOCs' aren't very effective at keeping students' attention. Despite the reports, Harvard University continues to heavily invest time and money in releasing MOOCs. CCTV America's Karina Huber has more from Boston.

Highlights:

  • Harvard and MIT have each invested $30 million into edX, a joint venture into online learning.
  • However a recent study finds that 95 percent of those who enrolled in Harvard and MIT’s free online courses didn’t finish them.
  • Robert Lue, who runs Harvard X, says its success shouldn’t only be judged by its online impact. It also has the goal of improving teaching in the classroom on campus.

Michelle R. Weise from the Clayton Christensen Institute on ‘MOOCs’

To continue this discussion, CCTV America interviewed Michelle R. Weise, a senior research fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute specializing in disruptive innovation in higher education.

Michelle R. Weise from the Clayton Christensen Institute on \'MOOCs\'

To continue this discussion, CCTV America interviewed Michelle R. Weise, a senior research fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute specializing in disruptive innovation in higher education.