With all due respect, Bostonian-- spoken like someone who hasn't seen one of these real stinkers.
I don't disagree with the utility of survey coursework, and I am guessing that Val isn't saying anything of the kind.
It's just that when pre-recorded 5 minute video segments, 3-question multiple choice "quizzes" that are at the lowest levels of Bloom's taxonomy, and no: a) meaningful course discussion, b) critical thinking about information, and/or c) access to an expert teacher...
out-of-date materials, errors in materials, the over-reliance on 'free' weblinks, poor transitions (as a result of using a set of cobbled together free materials), poor continuity between topics, poor assessment, no student feedback on higher order thinking skills...
well, in those cases, a sign that says "Billions Served" really isn't a good indicator of quality any more than it is at McDonald's.
