MOOCs being readied for prime time in California - Alison Moodie, University World News

California’s public universities and colleges may soon be required to grant students credit for online courses, including massive open online courses, or MOOCs – a move that could radically alter the higher education landscape. New legislation introduced in the Senate in March would allow students unable to register for oversubscribed classes to receive credit for online classes not affiliated with their institution. “We are pleased that alternative forms of potential college credit are being given such serious consideration in California and elsewhere,” Cathy A Sandeen, American Council on Education’s (ACE) vice-president for education attainment and innovation, told University World News. “ACE has for decades conducted rigorous evaluations of military and workplace courses and experiences in order to make college credit recommendations." But online education should not usurp the role of the traditional university, she added. http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20130328121104275