The Liberal Arts Contribution to edX - Douglas A. Hicks and Patrick D. Reynolds, Huffington Post

MOOC users, at least so far, are readily described as intellectually curious. This early finding about the broad-ranging inquisitiveness of edX students suggests that the residential liberal arts model that our institutions and many other liberal arts colleges have embodied for two centuries has something to contribute to the open online platform: promoting a wide exploration of knowledge and the reciprocal illumination of seemingly disparate disciplines through critical thinking, discourse and writing. For the traditional college-age students on our campuses, the liberal arts approach is preparation not for one career, but for multiple careers; education for meaningful work and a fulfilling life course in an evolving world. We are excited by the prospect of extending this education to the diverse student population engaging with open online platforms. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/douglas-a-hicks/the-liberal-arts-contribu_b_5065593.html