Rice University, for instance, reports that it is getting more applicants — and higher-quality applicants — for its computer-science masters’ degree after offering a CS course on Coursera, he said.
This is a completely personal, liberal arts-educated perspective and anecdote, but going to Rice University for a Computer Science degree is akin to going to MIT for an English Literature degree. Prestigious school, sure. Is it the field for which it's known to be at the top? Uhhh, nope.
Yeah a bit harsh but with reasons. When I look over that list I see UT Austin up at #9 in a tie. I've known for years that the UT Austin program was worthwhile, because it is. I'll stand by the assertion that Rice isn't known as a hotbed of tech, but it is a very fine institution with, I'm sure, excellent metrics in the U.S. News & World Report scoring system...mostly because it's expensive, small, and extremely picky with its applicants.
Actually, this may be exactly the point of the quoted text: people don't know Rice for their CS department, but a high quality course could change this view.
Also, Chomsky is a professor in MIT, so I would give a shot in their linguistic courses.
Right, I mean I get that idea, but coming back to the bigger concept at play with Coursera, the one that kicks off the article regarding "Will this help a student/graduate in the job market?" I have a bit of skepticism.
In fairness I do know Chomsky's work and his prestige in the field. Personally as an artist and student of language, and as a working professional who employed an English degree for my income year after year in business environments, I am not a fan. At all. I'll just leave it at that.
This is a completely personal, liberal arts-educated perspective and anecdote, but going to Rice University for a Computer Science degree is akin to going to MIT for an English Literature degree. Prestigious school, sure. Is it the field for which it's known to be at the top? Uhhh, nope.