Some observations: predictably, MOOCs permeated the discussion in every way possible. Most directly, there was discussion of MOOCs lowering the cost of colleges. This is something that is highly unlikely, at least until brand name matters less and credentials matter more. Parchment, a credentials exchange, is trying to become the system of record for everyone’s qualifications (transcripts, etc.), but the market is very far from having 1) a standard way to assess knowledge from MOOC courses and 2) corporations comfortable with MOOC certifications when making job offers. No one had a sense for when this would happen but the sense is that it will.

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