Massive
Open Online
Courses
(MOOCs)
A Revolution in Online
Learning
What are MOOCs?
• Massive - Accommodates large numbers of students
• Open - Accessible to everyone
• Online - Available through internet platforms
• Course - Structured learning path
- Web-based courses offering global access to top academic institutions
MOOC refers to a route or pattern of getting a content or
information available through an online system that can be
accessed by many people.
What are MOOCs?
• MOOCs are asynchronous web-based courses geared towards enabling
several hundreds of students all over the world to enroll and learn from top
world-renowned academic institutions at the same time.
• MOOCs deliver content via recorded video lectures, online readings, and
online assessments, with various degrees of student and student-instructor
interactions.
• Many MOOC-providers offer free courses, which entice more people to
enroll.
• There are MOOCs that provide certificates of completion to the students;
however, most of them do not count for college credit.
History of MOOCs
• Invented in 2008 by Dave Cormier
• University of Prince Edward Island
• First course: "Connectivism and Connective Knowledge“
• Original goal: Democratize education from elite universities
• Make university courses globally accessible
Key Features of MOOCs
• Asynchronous learning format
• Video lectures from experts
• Online readings and assessments
• Student-student interaction
• Student-instructor engagement
• Often free to access
• Optional certification available
Types of MOOCs
1. Types of MOOCs: xMOOCs
• eXtended MOOCs
• Traditional university structure
• Pre-recorded lectures
• Structured readings
• Instructor-led discussions
• Self-contained platform
• Formal learning approach
Types of MOOCs
2. Types of MOOCs: cMOOCs
• Connectivist MOOCs
• Collaborative learning model
• Student-contributed content
• Social media integration
• Blogs and wikis
• Multiple platform usage
• Community-driven learning
The following table illustrates the conceptual differences between cMOOCs and XMOOCs.
Advantages of Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)
Advantages of Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)
1. Relax requirements – MOOC can be taken by anyone who is interested in the subject matter and able to access the
course, regardless of age, background, or location.
2. Video format availability - Teaching in a modern video format (not just texts like those that you’d find in other e-
learning courses).
3. Accessibility- learning content from top universities like Harvard, Stanford, etc. can be opened through online
format.
4. Repetition- an MOOC will often run two or three times a year, ensuring that students would not miss their chance.
5. High quality- MOOCs are led by subject matter experts (SMEs) and supported by teaching assistants, so that
students have access to first-rate educational resources.
6. Feasibility- an MOOC usually requires 1-2 hours of study a week for about 5 weeks, making learning doable even for
busy students.
7. Self-paced- an MOOC enables students to work through the course materials and assessments at their own pace.
8. Online collaboration- learners across the globe work together on common goals without the need to meet each
other in person.
Leading MOOC Platforms
• Coursera
20+ million learners
Partners: Stanford, Princeton, Yale
• EdX
10+ million learners
Partners: Harvard, MIT, Oxford
• Udacity
Tech focus
Industry partnerships: Google, Facebook
• FutureLearn
UK-based
European university partnerships
