Colleges across the country are experimenting with how they can use massive open online courses. These classes, known as MOOCs, provide free worldwide access to quality courses offered by elite schools. Here’s how this movement is used at some Georgia schools:
Georgia Tech: Tech will launch a first-of-its-kind master of science in computer science degree. While this will be offered through the MOOC platform, students will have to pay if they want course credit or the degree. Tech teaches 12 free MOOCs through a company called Coursera. And Tech was tapped by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to create three introductory courses to be taught online.
Emory University: Emory teaches free courses through Coursera. The university also partnered with other schools to start Semester Online, which allows students to take online courses offered by the schools and receive credit for the work. Students will have to pay for Semester Online, which is scheduled to start this fall.
Georgia State University: Georgia State is not offering MOOCs, but the school agreed to give students credit for the courses. To receive the credit, students will have to show they've mastered the material and faculty will evaluate the classes to make sure they meet Georgia State standards. Just like other transfer credits, students would not have to pay for them.
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