SUMMARY WEEK 6

1.      Discuss possible quality control issues with MOOCs. For each issue that you list, please also describe how you would go about solving the problem.
 
MOOCs are technology based and need specific criteria to assess the quality of the MOOC.  Otherwise, there cannot be uniformity in the outcome.   Does a degree in engineering mean the same if offered at different online Universities? One would hope that the quality of the e-based degree and camp0us based degree is the same degree.  Minimum level of compliance to complete your degree.
Australia has a registration framework for online courses – At least if a course is registered at the RTO – it has met with some standards in the education.  (RTO, 2023)
There is an increased demand in e-based learning – people are working and studying.  Gone are the days of going to university for a 3–5-year course.  People want to start right up front and then follow it up with a qualification.
 
2.      What are some specific examples of the impact that MOOCs could have on traditional higher education? Please explain your answer.
The impact e-based learning has on higher education, is enormous. The Department of education and training estimated 1.4 million students were enrolled in higher education in 2016 – just over half of them is on campus, the rest is online.  The picture is somewhat blurred because some students do a mix of courses.
E-based learning has made it possible for a individuals form a range of backgrounds (age, demographics, language etc), to enrol and gain a qualification ( (Rachael, 2018). 
Even giving some incentives for older people to study online – that is a niche for marketing currently, as there are several degrees on offer.
3.      Would you be willing to enrol in a MOOC as a full-time student at your university? Would you be willing to enrol in a MOOC after you graduate? Why or why not?
I have completed several degrees, certificates, and an associate degree online.  My first degree was as a student on a campus.  After that I have been part of the distant education students – before internet and online per se.  then joined the community of online courses.  Currently doing the B.Ed. 
It suits me perfectly and I will do it again and again.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.      How do you feel about the ethics of ISPs controlling the ‘freedom of choice and speed of access’ to the internet? Is it appropriate for the government to compel ISPs to use the network technologies to effectively censor the internet? Do you think it is ethical for ISPs to be deliberately influencing the content available to consumers and business?
Ethics of the ISP’s controlling ‘Freedom of Choice”:  no-one wants their freedom of choice taken away from them.  Unfortunately, “unsavoury” characters have made it necessary for the government ot institute some form of control.  I think that the government of the day, has a lot of input.  The Howard government for instance had its own approach as opposed to Rudd or Gillard.  The current Coalition seems to focus more on training than on managing per se.  (Parlaiment of Australia, 2014) In Australia Internet censorship is enforce by criminal law – in other words a breach can be charged and penalties can be applied.
Is it appropriate for the government to compel ISPs to use the network technologies to effectively censor the internet:  there are pro’s and con’s towards this question.  If the government has control over the ISP, it is easy for them to just de-register a site or DNS or domain.  Or Ip addresses or even look-up and search on keywords. On the other hand – what are they blocking out?
Do you think it is ethical for ISPs to be deliberately influencing the content available to consumers and business? One would wish that information is freely available, but seeing as not all people, companies and industries are reliable and ethical, there must be some form of control somewhere.  Governments are supposedly chosen by the people. So control is better in their hands, than in some of the privately owned business, (Terman, n.d.)
2.      Is it appropriate to enforce a digital divide between those with largely unbiased access and those ISPs using technology to promote their own content over other content? Would consumers know or even care?
The Digital Divide refers to people who have access to the internet, and those that don’t.  we can already deduce, that it will change the quality of life for people that don’t have access – it will have a damaging effect on the economy.  Technology control so much of the workforce and workplace and governments, that not being able to access, would cause inequality in countries.  People will only care if they are affected.  We know how we feel when we cannot connect.  According to the UNESCO nearly half of the world’s population does not have access to the internet?  This is somewhat of a shock!!  (IEEE, n.d.)
 
3.      Should business monitor its employees’ internet usage? Do you see a problem with employees using company owned computing equipment and broadband network access for personal use? Explain how you would develop and manage an internet usage policy for a business.
 
I do think it is appropriate for companies to manage their employee’s use of internet broadband.  Personally, it is the same as if the employee would sit around on company time not doing anything.  It is easy to sit in front of the laptop and pretend to work.  Furthermore – as always there will be unsavoury characters visiting websites that is illegal or unethical.  This can damage the company’s network.  The same as damaging company property.
 
4.      How do you feel about the neutrality ideal of the internet? Do you believe that ISPs or national governments have the right to impose restrictions or should there be unbiased access to internet content? What do you consider to be the ramifications if network neutrality was eliminated? Explain your response
Content on the internet, should be treated equal.  We do live in a society where non-discrimination is paramount and essential.  Should it be different for internet traffic? Some countries already have their laws lined up to ensure that all sites and domains are treated equaly – as in the European Union.  The flip side is in the US, where the Department of Justice sued the state as a result of the equality law, which was actually dropped after Joe Biden as inaugurated as president. Hopefully in Australia the equality will be consistent across the states and territories.
There is public divide in neutrality.  I do believe that neutrality is essential for freedom of expression and equal opportunities.  I do appreciate economy and competition – if a company is successful, it should be able to reap the benefits of being successful!  We do not live in a Socialist country – all is not equal.  Equality still has to favour the hard workers

ADDITIONAL READING

IEEE. (n.d.). Economic Effects of the Digital Divide: Unlocking Growth with Equitable Access. Retrieved MArch 23, 2023`, from Connecting the Unconnected: https://ctu.ieee.org/economic-effects-of-the-digital-divide-unlocking-growth-with-equitable-access/

Parlaiment of Australia. (2014, August 8). Retrieved from Australian Governments and dilemmas in filtering the Internet: juggling freedoms against potential for harm: https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1415/InternetFiltering

Rachael, F. (2018, August). Higher education and online learning. InPsych, 40. Retrieved from https://psychology.org.au/for-members/publications/inpsych/2018/august-issue-4/higher-education-and-online-learning#:~:text=In%202016%2C%20higher%20education%20student,cent%20were%20studying%20multi%2Dmodally.

RTO. (2023, March 23). About RTOs | Registered Training Organisations. Retrieved from Training.com.au: https://www.training.com.au/rto/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2v-gBhC1ARIsAOQdKY3gYWtaGJ82rtXUr1waz3QYLsZq2DdvTQfmHvp1RfF7qFD1vRdqI6saAqK2EALw_wcB

Terman, R. (n.d.). Internet Censorship (Part 2): The Technology of Information Control. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from Townsend Center for the Humanities: https://townsendcenter.berkeley.edu/blog/internet-censorship-part-2-technology-information-control