BU Digital Learning Initiative Looks to Expand MOOC Offerings for BU Credit
Boston University first launched its Digital Learning Initiative in 2013. Two years later, the team of BU faculty led by Questrom School of Business professor of information systems, Chrysanthos Dellarocas, have launched their first set of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The team is now looking to expand the digital outreach of BU. The university has planned to offer MOOCs for a minimal fee that will give course participants credit if they enroll in a Boston University program after completion of the online course.
These course will be designed for professionals who are looking to build upon their current knowledge and skills in a particular industry. The first of these courses, designed for practicing lawyers, will debut in October. The course is titled “Legal Risk Management Strategy for Multinational Enterprises.” The course is open to any qualifying professional, in any country around the world, just as a regular MOOC would be.
The actual development of these fee-based MOOCs for Boston University credit has not been completed yet. Dellarocas commented in a BU press release that before this happens, the university provost and the applicable academic councils would have to approve of the courses for credit before it can be granted.
In addition to developing these MOOCs, the Digital Learning Initiative team has also been working to develop technology across all parts of Boston University. Now that the bar has been set for BU’s online learning, the team hopes to expand the university’s online course offerings as well as expand the use of technology in classrooms and other facilities on the campus. Recent projects include a partnership with Questrom to fund an undergraduate teamwork course, development of a project-based learning portal in the School of Public Health and an alumni mentoring program in the College of Engineering.
For more information on Boston University, the Questrom School of Business and other online programs offered in the Boston area, visit metromba.com.
About the Author
Erin Purcell
Staff Writer, covering MetroMBA's news beat for New York, Philadelphia, and Boston.
