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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is spearheading a movement of major universities to put online lecture notes, coursework and required readings for MBA courses and other classes on the internet—for no charge! Why would prestigious universities consider giving away some of their intellectual property? The answer might surprise you.
According to a recent Wall Street Journal article titled, “Yale on $0 a Day”, February 15, 2007, universities across the United States are offering more than a glimpse into the courses comprising an MBA or other advanced degree. According to the article, “MIT's pioneering "OpenCourseWare" program, which was launched in 2003, posts the syllabus and class notes for more than 1,500 courses online for anyone who wants them. By this November, it aims to publish materials from virtually all 1,800 of its courses across all its schools.”
The amount of IP given away varies by university. MIT, thus far, seems to be the most generous with class plans, lecture notes, and recommended reading materials. Other universities such as UC Berkeley are “simply making lectures available through audio and video files.”
What would drive major universities to allow the general public to peer into the inner-workings of their advanced coursework (in physics, business, economics etc) and even download/utilize key intellectual property?
The universities realize there’s no substitute for the real thing. "From Yale's point of view, there still is nothing more important than direct interaction between students and teachers," says Diana E.E. Kleiner, an art-history professor and director of the Yale project. "Putting a selection of our courses online doesn't change that."
Quickly reviewing the online MBA catalog at MIT, I have to concur. Take for example, a course on negotiation. Downloading the lecture notes and reading required books is part of the equation, however, I don’t think there is a substitute for in-class room instruction, role-playing and simulation, and peer interaction—especially in a course like negotiation.
In fact, this is a brilliant marketing strategy, of “try before you buy” or teasing prospective students with a sampling of good things to come.
While this “sampling” isn’t the same thing as the real experience, I am excited about this announcement for many reasons. Some people, like me, are life long learners. In fact, if I could make a good living just being a “student,” I’d happily give up my day job.
The online courseware for MIT and other universities allows me to save time and energy in seeking the best reading materials for subjects like operations planning, supply chain management, and economics to name a few. For example, a simple search on Amazon lists 5,327 different books on supply chain management. If I was interested in this topic, why wouldn’t I just read or review the three recommended books in the MIT coursework? Are the reading materials recommended by MIT the best books on a given topic? I can’t be 100% positive, but at least I have a solid starting point.
Second, the free online courseware allows me to pick subjects of interest and either do a refresh or deep dive on a specific topic. If I’m a little rusty on statistics or accounting, I can easily review lecture notes, watch a digital lecture, or purchase and read key textbooks to get back up to speed.
I do have questions, however.
How will this trend affect online distance MBA courses which are essentially the same thing (lecture notes, recordings, and required readings)? I realize there is some interactivity in online courses with chat rooms, discussion threads and conference calls, but many online courses cater to individual vs. team learning.
Also, will this change the strategies of some Global 2000 companies who create their own IP coursework (technology, executive leadership etc), for internal employee use?
It is also often said, “It’s best to keep the cannibals in the family.” Are MIT and other universities cannibalizing their own product line with this “giveaway” of IP? Will this increase or decrease demand for higher learning? I’d love to hear your opinions…
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Comments
Paul - Very interesting post. I knew that MIT and other schools were making their courseware available, but hadn't realized the extent. A couple of points: certainly for the A-list institutions like MIT, they aren't cannibalizing their product in the least by "giving away IP". They will continue to attract students because of the faculty-student interaction you cite and - most importantly - because of the networking contacts and job opportunities that abound for graduates of these schools. An MBA from Sloan School (MIT's business school) will always trump a distance learning degree, or an in-person degree from a lesser known school.(At least I hope so, as I'm actually a Sloan grad.)
One question I have: will the A-list schools start packaging up and selling courses to distance learning outfits, or start offering distance courses themselves? (Or do they already?) Even if they do, I don't think this will necessarily cannibalize the market for their "real" degrees and degrade their brand. They won't let that happen.
Meanwhile, distance learning keeps getting "more real" all the time with the improvements in conferencing software (Centra/Saba, Adobe Breeze, WebEx).More interaction, more opportunities for students and faculty to collaborate. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out.I still don't see these degrees having the cachet or prestige of the "real thing", but they certainly provide practical and tangible value to lifetime learners.
Posted by: Maureen Rogers | 02.16.07
This is something I'm definitely going to try out. Thank you for spreading the word. Ultimately I don't think it will increase the DEMAND for higher learning, but it will increase the available, affordable supply of higher learning courses. But I don't think it will change the demand for accreditation. Justified or not, people see too much value in it for that to drop off.
I wonder how this will affect organizations like The Learning Company, which sells lectures and course notes for fees anywhere from $40 to several hundred dollars without the benefit of federal and state funded scholarship programs or even a steady stream of tuition money to offset the costs...
Posted by: Cam Beck | 02.16.07
I think that having the information available may give more confidence and motivation to those unsure about pursueing formal higher education programs. It will also build trust in the universities that provide such information. If I like the online material then that university might be the first place I apply to once I make the decision to continue.
I started to add an answer to your question regarding online MBA programs, as I am a prospective student, but my comments grew into a full blown post at my blog http://mba.pumpkin12pm.com
Posted by: Beth Robinson | 02.16.07
Beth, I agree with you about the need for structure. Some people, myself included, just cannot get motivated for coursework unless there is a deadline involved.
That said, there is a delta of about $30K for online MBAs vs "free". While I'd miss some of the interactivity online, and of course the actual degree itself, that amount of money alone might get me motivated to learn on my own!
I think the marketers for online MBA programs across the globe are facing a huge potential "disruptor".
Posted by: Paul Barsch | 02.16.07
I am in the middle of the MBA application process and I think that classwork is just not as important as some might think - it's really not what your paying for. If your smart and motivated enough to get into a top program you're probably smart and motivated enough to teach yourself a lot of the textbook stuff. The biggest value of an MBA comes from interacting with other bright ambitious students and professors as well as getting an entry into a solid alumni network.
As this trend continues I think those business schools with great alumni, well-connected professors, and strategic locations will be at an advantage. A big part of business school is networking opportunities and
Location might start playing a bigger role too. For example, right now I am inclined to go to a business school located in NYC because of the tremendous networking/internship opportunities there instead of another b-school that almost certainly has better classes. The information in those classes I can get online - usually from the professor's website, the endless networking opportunities are only available in certain areas.
Posted by: Jason Bradfield | 02.16.07
The OpenCourseWare inherently excludes vital classroom experiences and academic recognition.
Nevertheless it is a great project to encourage and provide oppportunities for self-learers of the world.
Posted by: David Lee | 02.16.07
Paul: putting "bulk packs", course materials and lecture notes online is a great idea and I'm glad it's becoming more accessible.
This creates an environment where top programs get greater mindshare outside their campuses -- they get quoted, sought after, and heard.
This is no closer to getting an MBA for free than reading a Bible is to sainthood. What does this do for mail order MBA programs? It probably won't hurt them too much, as MIT and others aren't offering 'honor system MBA's.' But frankly, as a hiring manager, I never put much value in a mail order MBA, so I'm biased.
Posted by: Stephen Denny | 02.19.07
I don't think it will affect the number of people applying for degrees in a bad way or discourage people from applying to long-distance programs.
While you might get access to the resources for free, you still won't get the degree. If you're interested in career, then employers look for a degree before your knowledge.
Personal MBA has been for free for some time now and I don't think it has decreased the number of students.
Posted by: Peep | 02.21.07
Much of the information in school, via books, and teachers' experience is five years old or greater. If information is power, not only the notes and lectures offered for "free" but the actual classes should be considered "low voltage".
If you are after real knowledge, you won't find it in school. Schools are repositories of facts and information, much of which is theoretical and much of which has not been proven. Real world experience with seasoned mentors is currently where knowledge lives...the place where fact is separated by fiction. This is the proving ground, the proverbial, cutting edge. Degrees are bought by students and sold through institutions of "higher ed" every day. Caveat emptor, mes enfants! Never let school ruin your educations.
Posted by: Jon Foster | 02.22.07