Dive Brief:

• A new University of California program is expanding the reach of online classes across the system's campuses, with a centralized catalog of courses and an easier way for students to register for online courses at other schools.
• Initially, 11 courses from four campuses will be offered, but more will be added over time. 
• The classes will differ from many MOOCs: These classes will have limited enrollments, most will require weekly video conferences with an instructor, and most will give their final exams in physical classrooms.

Dive Insight:

California Gov. Jerry Brown had criticized the University of California system for not doing enough to ease class crowding with online tools, but this method would seem to be a step in the right direction. It takes a wisely cautious approach to online education by capping enrollments and requiring some personal interaction with the instructors.