While similar courses have existed for some time - see Codecademy, for example - Alan's excitement isn't entirely misplaced in the way so many commenters here suggest. For Google to make these types of courses available and reasonably affordable (especially compared to college tuition), it democratizes specific skills, all certified by the world's most credible tech company.

For most people, these certifications should not be viewed as a replacement for college. With that said, the opportunity it potentially affords to those not suited for or without access to college should not be dismissed either.