On the subject of MIT and MOOCs, it's pretty interesting that he's taking solid-state chemistry (3.091), because this semester MIT is experimenting with substituting problem sets and exams with proctored mini-assessments done through MITx in addition to traditional (in-person) lecture and recitations[1].
I haven't met Battushig, but I'm another MIT freshman in the same chemistry class. After just the first full week of school, it's probably wise to reserve judgement with regard to the 3.091 experiment- but it's been plagued with a few problems (largely expected). For instance, MIT's administration isn't ready to approve a fully-online credited class (and apparently hundreds of upperclassmen were enrolled in the class in spite of schedule conflicts and no intention to attend), so they're starting to take attendance. The testing location is embedded within a kind of labyrinthine series of halls, and there's frequently long lines because everyone tries to take the assessments at the same time (they don't have enough Chromebooks to pass out, nor enough seats available).
Anyway, I think the space of MOOCs is exciting, and so is the possibility of meshing it with the traditional college experience.
I haven't met Battushig, but I'm another MIT freshman in the same chemistry class. After just the first full week of school, it's probably wise to reserve judgement with regard to the 3.091 experiment- but it's been plagued with a few problems (largely expected). For instance, MIT's administration isn't ready to approve a fully-online credited class (and apparently hundreds of upperclassmen were enrolled in the class in spite of schedule conflicts and no intention to attend), so they're starting to take attendance. The testing location is embedded within a kind of labyrinthine series of halls, and there's frequently long lines because everyone tries to take the assessments at the same time (they don't have enough Chromebooks to pass out, nor enough seats available).
Anyway, I think the space of MOOCs is exciting, and so is the possibility of meshing it with the traditional college experience.
[1]: http://web.mit.edu/3.091/www/3091.htm