When will MITx go live?
“MIT plans to launch an experimental prototype version of MITx in the spring 2012 timeframe. Once the open learning infrastructure is in stable form, MIT will also release the open-source software infrastructure and will establish ways for other universities, as well as interested individuals, to join MIT in improving and adding features to the technology.”

Will providing the open source software infrastructure to other universities serve as a catalyst for others to join in on open, free courses with credentialing? Interesting strategy for MITx.

http://www.anatomy-class.org/
http://www.pgm-class.org/

On the other hand, the question is a good one because there are already many courses that are open and online and many more that are online and credentialed, but none that are open, online and credentialing. MITx and SUNY Empire State present interesting variations because they technically work a grey area here.

http://wikieducator.org/Empire_State_College/SUNY_Empire_State_College_Joins_OERu_and_Establishes_Presence_on_OERu_Wiki

Both use brick and mortar classrooms (and full time faculty) to develop the resources for the MOOC (only credentialed). Then they provide the MOOC resources online in an open fashion (open and online, but not credentialed). But the twist is in providing all three. And technically both SUNY Empire State and MITx are about even on this front as neither have said the central, brick and mortar institution will offer the open, online courses for credential. SUNY says it (and the OER university of which it is a part) “does not confer degrees or qualifications — but works in partnership with accredited educational institutions to provide credit for OER learning on the pathway to awarding credible credentials.” MITx will be associated with MIT, but will likely be spun into a different kind of LLC or something that is primarily funded through people paying for the credentials. In other words, though the materials will be funded by brick and mortar, online and MOOC for people who “just wanna learn,” the eventual organization that grants degrees will do it for a fee. I suppose it sill still be “open” in the sense that anyone can take it, but in a way that is no different than University of Pheonix (or Northeastern).

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/28/education/northeastern-university-expands-its-geographic-reach.html

So what is the main difference between what Pheonix and NEastern are doing (offering courses online for credential, for payment, with virtually open enrollment) and what we presume MITx and SUNY Empire State are doing? Is it that, for a time you can have access to the learning materials in a free, open way before you have to pony up the money for the credential (a credential, notably, that neither MIT or SUNY Empire State say they will necessarily directly administer)?

I only ask because I think the question is right in terms of seeing the possibilities in this area, but since it will likely be a very messy transition (and we don’t have an official index) definitional obstacles loom large.

I have been doing a little reading on OER university. I found this interesting:
“The OER university is a virtual collaboration of like-minded institutions committed to creating flexible pathways for OER learners to gain formal academic credit.” from http://wikieducator.org/OER_university

I’m intrigued by the MOOC concept, OERU, DS106 and the like, I must say that it is a fascinating time in education. Just like anything else, I think the best way to learn more is to just dive in and try it, so that’s my plan.

Classes start soon! Are you enrolled?

http://www.dailycal.org/2012/02/20/uc-inaugurates-pilot-program-for-online-classes/

They are piloting an online course for students w/in the university and plan to expand it to students outside as well, likely with a credential. However, they seem to be planning on using it to generate revenue, which would indicate that, to get a credential, you need to pay. Online, open in terms of admissions, credentialed, but you’ll have to pay. Is this MOOC? Not sure.

Now we have a single portal.

I’m not seeing others at all, so far.