I’m not sure if this story is a reflection on the political nature of education reform or on the superficiality of MOOC.
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Excellence in Education is offering three MOOCS – massive open online courses – with “convenient, self-paced modules to accommodate busy schedules” to help you do more to “advance and effectively implement trending reforms.”
So, who are the wise and experienced educators leading these courses?
Along with [Joel] Klein, the former chancellor of New York City public schools, and [John] King, the former New York State education commissioner who is now a top adviser to Education Secretary Arne Duncan, you will hear from people including John White, Louisiana state superintendent of education; Patricia Levesque, CEO of the Bush foundation, who sent the e-mail announcement; and Greg Hughes, Utah Speaker of the House. The 18 people shown on the foundation Web site who are involved in the courses come from the policy and legislative (and not the education) world. [my emphasis]
That “not in the education world” part pretty much summarizes the entire approach to education reform in this country.