New York Times University?

For the first time, New York Times columnists are participating in the newspaper's three-year-old "Knowledge Network," an adult-education program operated in partnership with local universities.

Can this become a legitimate revenue source for newspapers?

According to Harvard's Nieman Journalism Lab:

The courses taught by Nicholas Kristof and Gail Collins, both op-ed columnists, include a “live, interactive Webcast,” three written lessons, and a message board where students can interact with their big-name instructors. For that, the Times is asking $185. Kristof’s course is on the exploitation of women in developing nations; Collins’s deals with the history of American women’s rights since 1960. Wine columnist Eric Asimov’s course, for $125, is a single session that students can attend in person or online. (Booze not included.)

The participation of Kristof, Collins, and Asimov could be a precursor to the membership model the Times is considering in its search for new revenue streams on the web.

Naturally we're wondering how online video technology and storytelling can be incorporated into these lessons.

List of all courses here.

Journalism courses here.