MOOCS - Minnesota Changes Stance and Now Allows

In a recent blog, I noted a call for papers for a JOLT issue on MOOCS.  It also included a controversial stand by Minnesota higher education banning MOOCS.   An email this morning provided an update that I missed from October 20 The Chronicle article.  The backlash centered around right to freedom of speech and a 20-year old law that required universities to register with the state and pay a $1000 fee (to provide free courses?).

The BIG controversy prompted officials in higher education to change their minds about the ban on MOOCS.

The article is online at http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/facing-backlash-minnesota-decides-to-allow-free-online-courses-after-all/40588

MOOCS - JOLT Call for Papers and Controversy from Minnesota Outlawing MOOCS

There is a call for papers for  MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching (JOLT).  Have copied the information below.

The MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching (JOLT at http://jolt.merlot.org/) has just released a Call for Papers for a special issue on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), to be published in Summer (June) 2013. The Guest Editors of the special issue are George Siemens (Athabasca University), Valerie Irvine (University of Victoria), and  Jillianne Code (University of Victoria).

Proposals in the form of extended abstracts (500 words) are due on November 15, 2012, with full manuscripts due on January 31, 2013.

The full Call for Papers is available at the following URL:

http://jolt.merlot.org/jolt_moocs_cfp.pdf

Conversely, the state of Minnesota does not allow for the use of MOOCS in education.   

Read the Washington Post article outlining the details at http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/college-inc/post/is-minnesota-cracking-down-on-moocs/2012/10/19/aecde79e-1a18-11e2-aa6f-3b636fecb829_blog.html 

There is an interesting editorial online at http://www.mndaily.com/2012/10/22/moocs-will-never-replace-traditional-higher-ed