Connectivism in Open and Online Learning

L’ancien président américain estime que les MOOC, ces cours en ligne gratuits et ouverts à tous, peuvent permettre de résoudre le problème du coût des études aux États-Unis.

Il y a quelques semaines, Bill Clinton annonçait que les MOOC constituaient sans doute la seule solution à l’impasse économique dans laquelle se trouvait le système universitaire américain. Ce genre d’annonce se multiplie et laisse à penser que la révolution numérique en cours va bouleverser le marché du savoir. Mais est-ce réllement le cas? Le modèle économique des universités est-il dépassé? Si oui, qui seront les gagnants et les perdants du bouleversement actuel?

There have been a lot of people that have claimed that badges could replace degrees. That collections of badges could serve as legitimate portfolios or pathways that tell the same story as a degree, and in fact tell a much more in depth story given that we can use badges to capture more granular learning and each badge is evidence-based. I get asked a lot if I believe that badges will replace degrees and it’s a tough question. It’s not what we are setting out to do necessarily, the use case for badges in informal learning spaces is a primary one since that learning is not currently recognized. But I know I do believe in the utopia where learners can craft their own paths across the many learning opportunities available - especially those that are free and accessible. Where on-the-job experience counts for you in a real way. Where all of the learning and experiences in your lifetime are connected and stitched together around your identity or identities. Degrees definitely do no do this for you, but badges could.