MOOC ‘tension’ hits US - JOHN ROSS, the Australian

Massachusetts Institute of Technology chancellor Eric Grimson said it was impossible to prevent governments from capitalising on online courses to cut costs, even to the extent of closing down local universities. He said the “tension” was already apparent in the US, as authorities sought ways to reduce the higher education costs. “There will be pressure to use online tools to help reduce that cost,” he told the HES during a visit to the University of Adelaide last week. “But I’m hoping (cost) won’t be the sole factor. It would be a race to the bottom to figure out who can do it cheapest. It’s also about how you make learning more effective.” http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/mooc-tension-hits-us/story-e6frgcjx-1226867952774