The public is invited to join Sir John Daniel, a world renowned researcher and theorist in the field of online and distance education, for a presentation, “Making sense of MOOCs and other emerging models in higher education,” on Thursday, June 13, 3–4:30 p.m., in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library and on MediaSite Live.

Although they draw on a long history of open and distance learning, MOOCs took the world by surprise in 2012, because they were offered by elite institutions that had pinned their reputations on exclusiveness rather than scale and on selectivity rather than openness. Even though MOOCs still lack a viable business model, the cat is out of the bag and attempts at control are leading higher education into interesting times. The presentation will put MOOCs in context, explode some myths and explore the possibilities that will open up once current paradoxes are resolved.

Sir John Daniel was recently interviewed by MediaPlanet on the topic of the impact of MOOCs on higher education. The presentation is part of the Center for Online Innovation in Learning (COIL) Fischer Speaker Series, sponsored by Penn State World Campus and the University Libraries.

For more information or if you anticipate needing accessibility accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Debora Cheney at dcheney@psu.edu or 814-863-1345.