Review

EdX offers both self-paced and timed classes, which are free, but there are some flaws. Discussions could be better organized, students have little contact with their professors, TAs, or colleagues, and assessment, while best in class, remains inadequate, particularly in the humanities. Although edX offers various certificates (Honor, Verified, and XSeries), learners will not receive the credentials they would at a traditional institution. EdX employs a freemium model in which learners audit classes for free or make what edX calls a donation ($50 or more) to participate in certificate programs that verify their identities.