Many other HN users have raised this point about similar articles, but it bears repeating:
We can't put too much emphasis on completion rates as a metric for evaluating online courses. After all, the cost of entry (in terms of time and energy as well as money) is usually significantly lower than that of registering for an in-person college course.
For as long as this is the case, online courses will have a significantly lower completion rate. I'm not saying they don't have other serious problems — only that completion rates shouldn't be at the forefront of our criticism.
Comments
Many other HN users have raised this point about similar articles, but it bears repeating:
We can't put too much emphasis on completion rates as a metric for evaluating online courses. After all, the cost of entry (in terms of time and energy as well as money) is usually significantly lower than that of registering for an in-person college course.
For as long as this is the case, online courses will have a significantly lower completion rate. I'm not saying they don't have other serious problems — only that completion rates shouldn't be at the forefront of our criticism.
Exactly. It's comparing apples and oranges.
Investment in going to college: 12-14 years of school getting good grades along the way, SATs and then $20,000-$70,000 a year.
Investment in a MOOC: one button click.