THIRD LITTLE HOOVER COMMISSION HEARING ON HIGHER EDUCATION HELD AT LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE FOCUSED ON ONLINE EDUCATION, FUNDING
The Little Hoover Commission turned the spotlight on digital learning at this hearing, exploring whether new online education formats can help contain college costs while giving California students more access to high-demand classes. Meeting in Long Beach, California at LBCC on Feb 26th, the Commission heard from some of the leading experts and entrepreneurs in online education. They include Daphne Koller, co-founder of Coursera, a massive open online course (MOOC) company; Sebastian Thrun, co-founder of Udacity, another MOOC; and Dean Florez, president of Twenty Million Minds, a non-profit supporting technology to increase access to education.
MOOCs have drawn widespread attention after attracting thousands of students around the world to mostly free online classes conducted by professors from some of the world's leading universities. At the same time, many have expressed concern about their high dropout rate and the lack of course credit for students who complete a class.
The Commission also heard from Keith Williams, interim director of the University of California's online efforts; Ruth Claire Black, director of California State University's program; and Robert Samuels, a UCLA lecturer skeptical of online education's potential to curb rising college costs.
Other panelists include David Longanecker, president of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, who will discuss student financial aid and higher education funding. The leaders of UC and CSU's Faculty Senates also will appear.

Panel One: Student Aid and Postsecondary Financing
David Longanecker, President, Western Commission for Higher Education

Panel Two: Going Online: MOOCs and Beyond
Daphne Koller, Co-founder, Coursera and Professor, Stanford University
Sebastian Thrun, Co-founder, Udacity and Former Professor, Stanford University
Dean Florez, President and Chief Executive Officer, Twenty Million Minds Foundation

Panel Three: Going Online: UC and CSU
Keith R. Williams, Interim Director, UC Online Education and Senior Lecturer, University of California, Davis
Ruth Claire Black, Executive Director, Cal State Online
Robert Samuels, President, University Council-American Federation of Teachers and Lecturer, University of California, Los Angeles

Panel Four: The Role of the Faculty
Robert Powell, Chair, University of California Academic Senate and Professor, University of California, Davis
Diana Guerin, Chair, California State University Academic Senate and Professor, California State University, Fullerton