Students log on for lessons in progress

The rise of massive open online courses - a new generation of Web learning - may revolutionize study and the way universities teach, a Ministry of Education official has predicted.

"Although these types of open-source courses are only offered by a few elite universities, the trend will grow," said Li Zhimin, director of the ministry's Science and Technology Development Center.

Analysts say these courses will result in a higher education revolution - instead of educating only a selected few on college campuses, access to college education will be free for everyone.