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I don't see how something can be a "dirty secret" when everyone already knows about it. This is not news, and I think the author is well aware of that and just

I don't see how something can be a "dirty secret" when everyone already knows about it. This is not news, and I think the author is well aware of that and just wanted an eye-grabbing headline. As for courses being too fast: they're college courses. That's a core part of their value proposition. If they were slower, or did not follow a rigid schedule at all (like the "better" examples presented in the article), they would be a fundamentally different product. The author simply doesn't understand the concept behind MOOCs, and probably isn't their intended audience. He would be better served watching lectures on Youtube (I don't mean that sarcastically, there are fantastic courses available there). Synchronous learning is not, as another poster claims, an anachronism. It simply isn't necessary or valuable for everyone. For some, myself included, it is a significant benefit. That is the market that Coursera and edX are targeting, and one shouldn't criticize a company simply because one isn't a member of their target market.

lawnchair_larry 14y ago
Or should you not criticize dissenters just because it happens to fit you? There could be a better way for more people, regardless of your personal experience.
- nbouscal 14y ago
  There is a substantive difference between the service offered by iTunes U, Youtube, and countless others, and the service offered by Coursera and edX. This difference corresponds to a difference in learning styles (synchronous v. asynchronous, as it has been phrased in this thread), and it doesn't make sense for any one product to target two diametrically opposed learning styles. What does make sense is the approach that Coursera has actually already been taking: offer both as separate products. You can take classes on schedule, or you can take them off schedule for no certificate. Complaining about the synchronous model because you are an asynchronous learner simply doesn't make any sense.
  - lawnchair_larry 14y ago
    Nothing that you've listed is an asynchronous course. Currently, the choice is synchronous course or asynchronous video playlist. Coursera can likely fill that gap with a single database flag. It makes plenty of sense to suggest that they consider doing so. You're mistaken, actually - in most cases, coursera does not offer taking classes off schedule for no certificate. That's exactly what everyone is asking for.
    - colin_jack 14y ago
      I'm not sure everyone is asking for that. I think it would seriously water down the courses in terms of discussions in the forums, sharing online (study room, hangouts), in terms of the quizzes and assignments. The only thing I'd like is the more intense 6 week courses split over say 10 weeks. Other than that I think they are taking the right approach.

lawnchair_larry 14y ago

Or should you not criticize dissenters just because it happens to fit you? There could be a better way for more people, regardless of your personal experience.

nbouscal 14y ago
There is a substantive difference between the service offered by iTunes U, Youtube, and countless others, and the service offered by Coursera and edX. This difference corresponds to a difference in learning styles (synchronous v. asynchronous, as it has been phrased in this thread), and it doesn't make sense for any one product to target two diametrically opposed learning styles. What does make sense is the approach that Coursera has actually already been taking: offer both as separate products. You can take classes on schedule, or you can take them off schedule for no certificate. Complaining about the synchronous model because you are an asynchronous learner simply doesn't make any sense.
- lawnchair_larry 14y ago
  Nothing that you've listed is an asynchronous course. Currently, the choice is synchronous course or asynchronous video playlist. Coursera can likely fill that gap with a single database flag. It makes plenty of sense to suggest that they consider doing so. You're mistaken, actually - in most cases, coursera does not offer taking classes off schedule for no certificate. That's exactly what everyone is asking for.
  - colin_jack 14y ago
    I'm not sure everyone is asking for that. I think it would seriously water down the courses in terms of discussions in the forums, sharing online (study room, hangouts), in terms of the quizzes and assignments. The only thing I'd like is the more intense 6 week courses split over say 10 weeks. Other than that I think they are taking the right approach.