Free college education: useless?

http://www.mit.edu/newsoffice/2012/edx-launched-0502.html

"Well on your resume it shows you signed up for lots of free classes - did you get all A's?"
"yes of course"
"you are hired"

It looks like there's some kind of credentialing process for people who "demonstrate mastery." I'm intrigued. It might not be a way to receive a degree, but it could be a good way to learn a second major subject later on for career purposes.

there is kinda a thread for this subject anyway this guy is the best writer on the subject:
http://www.quickanded.com/2012/05/the-x-factor.html

I think in some ways this is a step backwards because MITx was more explicitly 'the MIT brand' and I think an elite school is gonna have to risk debasing its brand somewhere down the line

ideally it would let anyone study what they want for free and go start up a business with their skills but realistically people will sing up for classes and then just get wasted everyday

yeah this seems more ideal for adult learners, second degrees, etc. Like, say I want to learn the basics of finance -- it doesn't make sense for me, already in a career and with a family, to have to take a rigid schedule of classes that I have to go somewhere else to, but I could probably commit to a few nights a week of study at home.

I have to wonder if employers see these types of education credentials as real or not. Like that Yahoo CEO

they're at least 165% as real as management seminars

or CEU's