【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. take up /ˈteɪkˌʌp/ (v.) – to start studying or doing something
Example: My friend will take up Journalism in college.
2. attend to /əˈtɛnd
tu/ (idiom) – to assist and give help
Example: The professors tried to attend to all the inquiries of the students.
3. course /kɔrs/ (n.) – a set or series of classes on a specific subject
Example: I need to take some writing courses this semester.
4. tenured /ˈtɛn
yərd/ (adj.) – having permanent status of employment
yərd/ (adj.) – having permanent status of employment
Example: The tenured professor has worked in the university for thirty years now.
5. shift /ʃɪft/ (n.) – a change or development of something
Example: The school had a shift of academic calendar.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Harvard Business School has recently introduced its Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) program called the HBX.
Around 500 to 1000 are expected to take up the HBX this June. To quickly attend to students’ concerns, only residents of Massachusetts [mas-uh-CHOO-sits], where Harvard is located, are allowed to participate.
If HBX turns out to be a successful project, Harvard will allow nationwide enrollment before the end of the year and international enrollment will follow by early 2015.
The HBX offers three courses under the program: business analytics, economics for managers, and financial accounting. The lessons will be handled by full-time and tenured Harvard professors.
Students must spend seven to 10 hours per week on the program. Teachers will provide reading materials and educational videos that students can study on their own.
Before the online program ends, students will have to take a final exam that covers all three courses. Professors will then evaluate the students’ overall performance. However, Harvard has not yet decided if it will follow the traditional grading system for the online program.
In HBX, students will learn through an online program modeled after Facebook and LinkedIn [lingkt-in]. The software provides an interactive experience in which students can earn grades by online class participation. Enrollment fee will cost around $1,500.
The shift toward digital education is considered a bit late for Harvard Business School. One of the earliest to offer online courses is Indiana University’s Kelley [KEL-ee] School of Business, which launched its MOOC in 1999. Other notable schools that recently opened online courses are University of North Carolina’s [kar-uh-LAHY-nuh] Kenan-Flager [kee-nuhn FLEY-guhr] Business School and Carnegie Mellon’s [KAHR-ni-gee MEL-uhn] Tepper School.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· In your opinion, how will HBX affect Harvard Business School’s image? Kindly discuss.
· If given the chance, would you be interested to enroll in HBX? Why or why not?
Discussion B
· Why do you think online schools are increasing nowadays?
· How can the Internet shape the future of education?