MOOCs have the power to destroy the present educational establishment. Khan Academy, for example. Unless and until particular MOOCs become mandated. But if one is free to choose which to participate in, competition exists and excellence (i.e. the bane of the public schools) will eventually emerge.
I was watching a news show a couple of weeks ago here in SoCal...they were talking about how a lot of high demand professors are now putting ‘lesser’ classes online so they would have more time to focus on important stuff.
Cut to a discussion amongst instructor aides, and all they could talk about is how this would reduce or eliminate their jobs. Absolutely no concern about better access and lower costs to students....just me me me.
Public education is not, or should not be a jobs program for public employees.