Flutterby™! : Minnesota

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Minnesota

2012-10-19 13:55:06.027579+00 by Dan Lyke 3 comments

Why am I pessimistic about the future of humanity? Well, Dave came up with one this morning. I'll go backwards from him.

First, check out the Coursera terms of service:

Notice for Minnesota Users

Coursera has been informed by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education that under Minnesota Statutes (136A.61 to 136A.71), a university cannot offer online courses to Minnesota residents unless the university has received authorization from the State of Minnesota to do so. If you are a resident of Minnesota, you agree that either (1) you will not take courses on Coursera, or (2) for each class that you take, the majority of work you do for the class will be done from outside the State of Minnesota.

The Chronicle of Higher Education has more, and Slate has still more, but, yes, seeing that taxi drivers and building contractors are able to keep prices up and quality low by artificially restricting entry into the market, Minnesota universities have gotten into the game.

It's not like you need more evidence that higher education is more shakedown scam than legitimate learning opportunity, but there you have it.

[ related topics: Interactive Drama Games Work, productivity and environment Education Economics ]

comments in descending chronological order (reverse):

#Comment Re: made: 2012-10-20 12:24:03.937964+00 by: DaveP [edit history]

And an update: In Victory for Common Sense, Minnesota Will Allow Free Online Courses After All

Doesn't get the bad law off the books, though.

#Comment Re: made: 2012-10-20 11:51:42.032138+00 by: DaveP

Just an FYI, it's not like this is anything new. As I understand it, this was passed back twenty-ish years ago, back when the threat was as likely mail-order education.

Or maybe courses offered via Gopher if you're hoping for extra irony.

#Comment Re: made: 2012-10-19 18:41:11.982877+00 by: Dan Lyke

MeFi entry, which links to Minnesota Private and Out-of-State Public Postsecondary Education Act (PDF) and Eugene Volokh weighs in, suggesting that there are severe First Amendment issues with Minnesota's statute.