Sometimes technology brakes come from unusual places – such as the Office of Higher Education.
I’ve written about Coursera in the past…
They are posting top classes from top universities online for free. It has leveled the playing field for access to education. But there are questions about what impact that will have on paying students. (Free classes do not qualify students for a degree.) I think this is an opportunity for some of the greatest education minds to figure out how to really make online education work.
It turns out that the greatest minds in Minnesota have decided that best answer is to just say no…
The state’s Office of Higher Education has informed the popular provider of massive open online courses, or MOOC’s, that Coursera is unwelcome in the state because it never got permission to operate there. It’s unclear how the law could be enforced when the content is freely available on the Web, but Coursera updated its Terms of Service to include the following caution:
Notice for Minnesota Users:
Coursera has been informed by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education that under Minnesota Statutes (136A.61 to 136A.71), a university cannot offer online courses to Minnesota residents unless the university has received authorization from the State of Minnesota to do so. If you are a resident of Minnesota, you agree that either (1) you will not take courses on Coursera, or (2) for each class that you take, the majority of work you do for the class will be done from outside the State of Minnesota.Tricia Grimes, a policy analyst for the state’s Office of Higher Education, said letters had been sent to all postsecondary institutions known to be offering courses in Minnesota. She said she did not know specifically whether letters had been sent to other MOOC providers like edX and Udacity, and officials there did not immediately respond to questions from The Chronicle.
Again the classes are now offered for credit.
I wonder what the motive behind the statute was? I imagine the state is trying to protect citizens from predatory, non-accredited educators. However, It does seem as if Minnesotans should have the right to obtain an education wherever they see fit. Rural Minnesotans, in particular, benefit a great deal from online learning environments.
I have instructed a number of residential and online courses for St. Cloud State and at Rasmussen college. The online platforms hit a demographic that would otherwise go unserviced–they are typically (not always) rural, middle to low income, and many of them are juggling multiple jobs and families. Online courses allow them to maintain their employment, and they can save on childcare and transportation expenses. It seems a shame to limit their online options when the technology is there.
I think you are right on the reason for the law – but I think this is one law of money that needs to be reconsidered given the change in environment. I don’t know that each law needs to be changed – but at least reconsidered.
Thanks for including your examples. They demonstrate the life-changing impact online education can have. I think online options really do make the difference between going to (or finishing) school and not going to school.
I agree. We are living in a different world these days. I hope they do reconsider so that it’s not such a barrier for students. They may view it as just one more hoop that frustrates or overwhelms them. The decision to continue an education is difficult enough, isn’t it?
We are continually encouraging community members to complete their degrees to advance their professional lives. Sady, it’s typically the entrance exams, enrollment paperwork, financial aid, course scheduling…and the all the other “hoops” that serve as the main obstacles. Why add one more?
Thank you for the article, Ann!
I drove to Chicago (from St Paul) twice a week for a summer to finish my last degree – that’s 4 long drives per week. Online classes would have saved me hours of time!
I finished that degree with a very flexible job and before I had kids. It was still hard. I can’t even imagine taking it on now. And as you point out – why would we want to add barriers when there’s a solution?
I can completely relate. I drove from Merrifield to St. Cloud (approx. 80 miles) two-three days a week for four years for classes as well. In the meantime, that meant working odd jobs with wacky hours. My measly salary barely covered my fuel costs. If I was in that position today, at nearly four dollars a gallon, I could not have accomplished that. I was practically starving at two something a gallon!
I was only a parent during the last semester of my graduate program. (I admit it was not the best time to start a family). However, that experience really made me appreciate the balancing act of non-traditional students–not to mention the financial burden of parenting and pursuing a degree simultaneously.
Thanks again, Ann!
Just a quick update – The Washington Post reports that Minnesota is no longer advocating a block on Coursera…
“Obviously, our office encourages lifelong learning and wants Minnesotans to take advantage of educational materials available on the Internet, particularly if they’re free,” said Larry Pogemiller, director of the office. “No Minnesotan should hesitate to take advantage of free, online offerings from Coursera.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/college-inc/post/minnesota-clarifies-free-online-ed-is-ok/2012/10/19/456a0a3e-1a37-11e2-aa6f-3b636fecb829_blog.html
But it does open the door to greater discussion in 2013…
“When the legislature convenes in January, my intent is to work with the Governor and Legislature to appropriately update the statute to meet modern-day circumstances,” said Pogemiller. “Until that time, I see no reason for our office to require registration of free, not-for-credit offerings.”
I think we can count this as a victory, don’t you? Whether or not students earns credit, there is no reason to stop them from enriching their lives. Thanks for the update, Ann!