In recent weeks, these universities and others announced plans to put their web-based courses online and create new opportunities for hands-on learning in the classroom.

The movement, which has the potential to change the way education has been delivered for decades, is causing some in the higher education community to question the speed of the changes as well as the overall direction.

“It’s an exciting time for all of us, albeit a bit scary,” said Rafael L. Bras, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “People in positions like mine prefer to know exactly where decisions are going to take us. In this case, the uncertainty is large, but the risk of inaction is very high. It is challenging. I am confident that others in higher education around this country and the world are feeling the same way I do.”

Although there are unanswered questions, Bras wants the Institute to have a role in shaping the direction instead of playing catch-up later.

“Georgia Tech clearly must be an important player in this,” Bras said. “We have to stay on top of it to live up to our vision of being the technological research university of the 21st century.”

To continue the discussion with the Tech community, Bras will lead the Town Hall on Online Education on Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. in room 1116, Klaus Advanced Computing Building.

He will be joined by three of the Institute’s leaders in online education — Rich DeMillo, director of the Center for 21st Century Universities and chair of the Council for Educational Technology; Donna Llewellyn, associate vice provost for Learning Excellence; and Nelson Baker, dean of Professional Education — who will give an overview of the work taking place in their respective areas.

A panel of faculty will be available to answer questions about courses they are teaching via Coursera, a new online education provider partnering with Tech and other premier universities.