I’m curious about one aspect of MOOCs, which is how it affects the whole recommendation letter process… in a MOOC, can a student stand out and interact enough with you that they can later ask for a recommendation letter? And if so, how do you deal with the volume of potential requests? Would you feel comfortable writing a recommendation letter for a person who you may have never met in person?
UD, do you see MOOCs as a threat to the brick and mortar unis?
The Stanford physics on line classes I watched were a tremendous help to me when I was studying that subject. Leonard Susskind, who is the Director of the Stanford Institute for Theoretical Physics, is an amazing teacher, and he was the one who presented the classes. Only when I transferred to Oregon State U, did I get a tenured prof for any of my series courses. I can see the threat MOOCs can present to traditional schools, if profs like you and Susskind are teaching…
Nice article, Margaret. In response to Charlie’ question, it is hard to imagine that MOOC’s can replace a traditional university. I see them as an opportunity for enrichment, but not a framework in which a student could actually earn academic credits.
Janet
August 23rd, 2013 at 4:30PM
I’m curious about one aspect of MOOCs, which is how it affects the whole recommendation letter process… in a MOOC, can a student stand out and interact enough with you that they can later ask for a recommendation letter? And if so, how do you deal with the volume of potential requests? Would you feel comfortable writing a recommendation letter for a person who you may have never met in person?
August 24th, 2013 at 7:30AM
http://leiterreports.typepad.com/blog/2013/08/ethical-reflections-on-mooc-making.html
August 24th, 2013 at 11:39AM
UD, do you see MOOCs as a threat to the brick and mortar unis?
The Stanford physics on line classes I watched were a tremendous help to me when I was studying that subject. Leonard Susskind, who is the Director of the Stanford Institute for Theoretical Physics, is an amazing teacher, and he was the one who presented the classes. Only when I transferred to Oregon State U, did I get a tenured prof for any of my series courses. I can see the threat MOOCs can present to traditional schools, if profs like you and Susskind are teaching…
August 28th, 2013 at 12:56AM
Nice article, Margaret. In response to Charlie’ question, it is hard to imagine that MOOC’s can replace a traditional university. I see them as an opportunity for enrichment, but not a framework in which a student could actually earn academic credits.
Janet
August 28th, 2013 at 10:34AM
Thanks, Janet! And I totally agree about MOOCs.