Why did Coursera remove the audit option?

Introduction:

Coursera, one of the most popular online learning platforms, recently removed the audit option for some of its courses. This change has left many students and learners confused and upset, as they wonder what the reasoning behind this move was and how it will affect their ability to learn.

The Audit Option:

Before we delve into the reasons behind the removal of the audit option, let’s first understand what it was. The audit option allowed learners to take a course without paying for a certificate or degree. They could still access the course materials, watch lectures, and participate in discussions, but they would not receive any official recognition for their efforts. This made the courses more accessible to people who were interested in learning about a subject but did not want to commit to a full degree program.

The Reasons Behind Removal:

Coursera has stated that it removed the audit option because it believed that students who took advantage of this feature were not fully committed to their education. According to Coursera, these students were often enrolling in courses simply to access course materials or to boost their resume without actually learning anything new. This behavior, Coursera believes, was detracting from the value of its courses and undermining the credibility of online degrees.

The Implications:

The removal of the audit option has several implications for both students and the online learning community as a whole. Firstly, it means that more students will have to commit to a full course in order to access course materials and receive recognition for their efforts. This could be particularly problematic for people who are not able to afford a full degree or who simply do not want to commit to a long-term education plan.

The Implications (continued):

Secondly, the removal of the audit option could lead to a decrease in the number of students taking online courses. If people feel that they cannot learn at their own pace without earning recognition for their efforts, they may be less likely to enroll in an online course. This could have negative implications for both Coursera and the wider online learning community, as it could reduce the demand for online education and limit its growth potential.

Case Studies:

To better understand the impact of the removal of the audit option, let’s look at some real-life examples. One student, Sarah, took an online course on Coursera to learn about a particular subject that she was interested in but did not want to commit to a full degree program. She was able to access course materials and participate in discussions without paying for a certificate or degree. This allowed her to learn at her own pace and fit her studies around other commitments.

However, when Sarah found out that the audit option had been removed, she was disappointed. She felt that Coursera’s decision was unfair to people like her who were simply interested in learning more about a particular subject without committing to a full degree program.

Another student, John, took an online course on Coursera with the intention of earning a certificate or degree. He found the course challenging but rewarding and was pleased that he had received recognition for his efforts. However, when he found out that the audit option had been removed, he felt that Coursera was making it more difficult for people like him to access education.

Expert Opinions:

To better understand the reasons behind Coursera’s decision, we spoke to several experts in online education and learning psychology. They were divided in their opinions on the removal of the audit option.