Do Free Online Classes Undercut the Value of an Education?
Is the MOOC model of free, open-enrollment classes the way of the future for higher education? Some professors and higher institutions worry that this might be so, and it might not be a good thing.
Many higher-level jobs today require not only a high school diploma, but a college education as well. However, rising costs in tuition and fees, as well as the need to work full-time, are forcing some students to complete their college classes through one of the various free online course providers. Known as a Massive Online Open Course (MOOC), this type of class has all the benefits of a typical online college course without the added expense or without having to step on campus. Some experts feel an online learning program, such as MOOC, undercuts the value of a pricey education at state and private institutions. However, others feel this just may be the future of higher education.