Measure Seeks Campus Credit for Web Study

[alp227]

Source: NYT

Legislation will be introduced in the California Senate on Wednesday that could reshape higher education by requiring the state’s public colleges and universities to give credit for faculty-approved online courses taken by students unable to register for oversubscribed classes on campus.

If it passes, as seems likely, it would be the first time that state legislators have instructed public universities to grant credit for courses that were not their own — including those taught by a private vendor, not by a college or university.

“We want to be the first state in the nation to make this promise: No college student in California will be denied the right to move through their education because they couldn’t get a seat in the course they needed,” said Darrell Steinberg, the president pro tem of the Senate, who will introduce the bill. “That’s the motivation for this.”

Despite doubts about the measure from some faculty members, signs point to the proposal’s passage after refinements to the legislative language, which is currently more outline than details. Democrats control the Legislature, and Gov. Jerry Brown has been a strong proponent of online education as a means to reduce college costs.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/education/california-bill-would-force-colleges-to-honor-online-classes.html?pagewanted=all

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I go to a California state university and have taken one online course there. As for this bill, the online courses would have to go thru the same accreditation process as regular classes do, I assume.

[antigone382]

1. One negative effect that I foresee is a loss of job openings for new professors.

If a higher ed. institution knows that high demand for certain classes can be met through students signing up for online courses--any online course anywhere that can be accredited, as this article seems to indicate--they will be less likely to hire new teachers. I know there have been indications that online courses can offer quality education, but I still question whether it really has all the advantages of direct personal interaction. I have many professors that I now quite well as individuals and can rely on for career connections and letters of recommendation. I don't think that would be the case through an online program.

[Blandocyte]

2. If the faculty don't approve the online course, it won't work

Don't hold your breath waiting for that approval.