Universities bolster learning on Web

By Mary Beth Marklein. Public universities and systems in nine states say they’ll join a push to greatly expand and improve online learning. Coursera, a Silicon Valley-based company, announced recently that it will partner with university systems in Colorado, Georgia, New York, Tennessee and Texas to develop and evaluate the potential of technology that is fueling dramatic changes in how higher education is designed and delivered. Partnerships with several state flagship universities also are being announced, bringing to more than 70 the number of schools or systems working with the company. Coursera is one of a handful of young companies or non-profit groups that offer an array of free, non-credit, college-level courses to anyone who has an Internet connection and a desire to learn. Millions of people worldwide have signed up for these massive, open online courses — known as MOOCs. Read more...