The supposed 90% attrition rate for free classes always cited in these articles is irrelevant. (It's also odd to cite the MOOC rate and then instantly change ta

The supposed 90% attrition rate for free classes always cited in these articles is irrelevant. (It's also odd to cite the MOOC rate and then instantly change tact mid-article to analyze instead paid classes with an online component that are offered by colleges: it likely gives readers the idea that the paid classes for credit offered to enrolled college students also have a 90% attrition, which is not established.) Significant numbers of people who enroll in MOOCs do not intend to complete every class they enroll in. And that is perfectly fine. There are various reasons. Some are curious about the material. Some are only interested in watching some of the lectures. Some are teachers checking out the MOOC scene but not wanting to spend the time to do assignments. Some are 10 year olds doing it on a lark. Some are people who realize they don't have all the requirements after trying a few problem sets. Some sign up weeks in advance but by the time the class starts they have forgotten about the class, become too busy, or lost interest. Even among the serious students many will sign up for 10 classes at a time, then end up sticking with the ones they find the most fun or interesting. None of these cases are where the class has failed. The real numbers to look at are the number of people who successfully complete the programs. These numbers are astounding and encouraging. Often 6000 students each time will pass with flying colors. There are no tuition based programs that come any where near that level of amazing success. In many cases the classes have provided to thousands of people throughout the world, at nominal cost, Ivy League quality classes from colleges such as Princeton, Stanford, Harvard, MIT and Yale. Most of these are people who would never be able to attend these universities or have access to this teaching. As far as the unmotivated students, they also fail at a high rate in brick and mortar classes as well. Excepting the top colleges that pre-filter out unmotivated applicants, college attrition for freshmen is very high nationally. 37 million americans have started college but left without completing a degree. Nationally half of people starting college drop out. This is for people who are at least motivated enough to be willing to pay for the experience and arrange their lives so they can physically attend classes in person. What percentage of MOOC enrollees that start with the needed prerequisites and have a serious intention and time to complete the class completes it? Probably about the same, but we don't know since no one is keeping track of this number yet.