While not a big fan of the original “trickle down theory,” the term does apply to how technology affects the education space—it usually starts up top in higher ed then works its way down into K-12. Remember when Duke University handed out iPods to its Freshman class in 2005? If you want to know what’s next in school districts, then keep an eye on the college-level online learning phenomenon. Today’s New York Times has an interesting piece on Coursera. The company has partnered with a dozen major research universities to offer more than 100 free massive open online courses, called MOOCs, and hopes to sign up millions of students around the world. It’s happening up there now. Be ready for it down here in a widespread way soon.—Kevin Hogan, Editorial Director.
