Universities bolster MOOCs for online learning

• Coursera offers an array of free%2C non-credit%2C college-level courses online
• Millions of people worldwide have signed up for these massive%2C open online courses
• Involvement of entire state university systems may show a new level of acceptance of MOOCs

Public universities and systems in nine states say they'll join a push to greatly expand and improve online learning.

Coursera, a Silicon Valley-based company, is announcing today that it will partner with university systems in Colorado, Georgia, New York, Tennessee and Texas to develop and evaluate the potential of technology that is fueling dramatic changes in how higher education is designed and delivered. Partnerships with several state flagship universities also are being announced, bringing to more than 70 the number of schools or systems working with the company.

Coursera is one of a handful of young companies or non-profit groups that offer an array of free, non-credit, college-level courses to anyone who has an Internet connection and a desire to learn.

Millions of people worldwide have signed up for these massive, open online courses — known as MOOCs. Their key features include short videos and interactive quizzes that provide instant feedback. Some educators worry that colleges and universities are rushing to adopt such technology without considering concerns about quality and impact.

In recent weeks, faculty at Amherst, Harvard, Duke and San Jose State have urged their administrations to use caution. But the involvement of entire state university systems "signals a new level of acceptance of MOOCs," said George Mehaffy, a vice president at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

Some Coursera partners will develop MOOCs; others are considering whether to adapt them in ways that allow students to receive course credit, co-founder Andrew Ng said. Still others plan to offer courses for credit to students enrolled in their university or system.

Tennessee's two state systems, for example, plan to compare the effectiveness of college algebra and chemistry courses taught through Coursera's platform with that of their existing online and campus-based programs.

"It really is a test of the technology," said John Morgan, chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents.

On Wednesday, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said the online courses could increase access and keep costs down. "I am very, very, very interested in MOOCs," he said. "We need some disruptive innovation in higher education."