The Emancipation of Planning Education

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are an emerging trend in higher education. And for the first time a course dedicated to urban planning made its debut this month. Could this trend transform planning education?

1 minute read

May 18, 2013, 11:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"MOOCs, or Massive Open Online Courses, are a major new trend in higher education," says Stuart Andreason. Web-based, open to any student to enroll, and largely free, such courses are becoming increasingly popular and specialized. 

"Earlier this month, the first urban planning MOOC launched on Coursera. Titled Technicitythe course is taught by Dr. Jennifer Evans-Cowley of The Ohio State University and Dr. Thomas Sanchez of Virginia Tech."

"While Technicity is the first planning specific MOOC, more are on the way. A five-week course on “Maps and the Geospatial Revolution” by Penn State on Coursera kicks off on June 17."


Thursday, May 16, 2013 in Planners Web

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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