MIT recruits grad students and philosophers to grade MOOCs instead of robots
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has given its 90,000 Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) philosophy students the opportunity to have their essays assessed by professional philosophers rather than automated software. At an optional cost of $300, this is one of MIT’s mechanisms to bring distance learning further into mainstream education.

Dive Brief:

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has recruited graduate student and professional philosophers to serve as grading assistants in one of its massive open online courses for philosophy. Officials say it is an add-on for students who are seeking additional feedback in their professional development.

Students pay $300 extra dollars for the right to authenticate that their papers are graded by a professional philosopher, instead of automated software which the school is currently piloting to help in grading thousands of essays.

Nearly 90,000 learners have signed up for the philosophy MOOC, now in its third edition.

Dive Insight:

The addition of professional graders for MOOC offerings brings distance learning closer to what mainstream higher education will look like in a few years. Opportunities for students to engage with professionals provide credentialing in its most basic form, even through digital space. MIT, which won't have any problem with the majority of its graduates getting jobs, is piloting a system for smaller four-year and community colleges to follow.

This model works for several disciplines within the liberal arts, and even some technical majors. The chance for students at any level to hear from people who have emerged from the same process as finished projects, or professionals in the making, positions colleges to offer all new methods of recruitment outreach and student engagement.