EDU 406: ICT in Education

What are massive open online courses (MOOCs)?

MOOCs, or Massive Open Online Courses, are online educational programs that aim
to provide open access to a large number of participants across the globe. These
courses are delivered over the internet, allowing learners to access instructional
content, lectures, and interactive materials remotely. The "massive" aspect of MOOCs
refers to their ability to accommodate a large number of students simultaneously.
Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are typically free web-based distance learning
programs that are designed for large numbers of geographically dispersed students

Types of MOOCs
MOOCS can either be:
• Synchronous, which means everyone on the course is following the same
elements or modules of the course at the same time, or

• Asynchronous, which means that people can enter and follow the course at
any time so that at any one time some people will be just starting the course whilst
others may be part way through or even finishing the course.

There are considered to be two different types of MOOCs

• Connectivist MOOCs (cMOOCs): Focus on collaborative and networked
learning, encouraging participants to create and share knowledge within a
community.
• Extended MOOCs (xMOOCs): Follow a more traditional instructional design,
delivering content in a structured format with lectures, assignments, and
assessments.
The new digital era renewed the principle of "knowledge for life" with the principle of
"knowledge throughout life", which gave impetus to the development of various
learning systems such as massive open online courses (MOOCs), that can support
learners to improve their knowledge throughout life. MOOCs represent a promising
direction in the development of information technology for distance learning of
university students:

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 • Mass, that is the immense number of students worldwide, with different
educational and professional backgrounds;
• Open, vast majority of the courses are free and have no prerequisite
requirements;
• Online, the course can be followed outside the classroom, via online platforms
(this requires a device);
• Course, with a curriculum, deadline for handing it the assignments, and
evaluation criteria.
According to experts, the concept of MOOCs is based on connectivism as a learning
principle (a variety of approaches, understanding of learning as a process of network
formation and decision-making, learning and cognition as a dynamic process).
MOOCs are courses provided online (based on pedagogical and methodological
design), consisting of video lectures, handouts, homework assignments, tests and
final exams to create a personal educational environment for each student. There are
also such advantages of MOOCs as accessibility, a high level of self-organization, a
multimedia form of presenting material (scripts for reading, video and online forums,
webinars, interactive tasks in the form of puzzles, simulation laboratories and many
others).
How do MOOCs work?
MOOCs are online learning courses that a student accesses through the internet.
Typically, these courses use cloud computing platforms for course delivery. The
course content is created with course authoring tools and is subsequently hosted on
a learning management system (LMS) platform.
The course provider, which is often a university, supplies the course materials and
instructors. The LMS platform, such as EdX, Canvas, Coursera or Udacity, provides
the technological infrastructure for course modules, user access and other learning
resources.
MOOCs consist of traditional class materials and can include the following:
• Filmed or recorded video lectures.
• Assessments.
• Readings.
• Problem sets.
• Online quizzes and examinations.
• Interactive learning modules.
• Interaction with other students via discussion forums.
The course materials typically consist of prerecorded short video lectures that usually
range from five to 20 minutes.

History of MOOCs
MOOC -- which rhymes with kook -- was coined in 2008 by Dave Cormier of the
University of Prince Edward Island in Canada for an online course offered by the
University of Manitoba. There were 25 tuition-paying students from the university
and 2,300 nonpaying students from the general public who took the course
"Connectivism and Connective Knowledge" online. There were RSS feeds for material,
and participation was facilitated through a variety of venues, including the Moodle
LMS, blog posts, the Second Life online virtual world and real-time online meetings.
In 2011, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) OpenCourseWare became the
first large collection of MOOC resources made available by a university. In 2012, MIT
and Harvard University spearheaded the EdX initiative for the promotion of MOOCs.

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As the demand for technology jobs increases, so does the popularity of online
courses. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, MOOCs are becoming the new
standard of education and specialization at all levels -- from elementary education
through bachelor's and master's degree programs -- as part of remote learning plans.
Enrollment in MOOCs surged during the pandemic, and many new MOOCs have been
launched since then.

What to consider before taking a MOOC

It's important to consider a few factors before enrolling in a MOOC. Key points to
consider include the following:

• Define the purpose. Before picking a specific MOOC, it's important to

clarify the reason for taking the course. For example, is the person hoping
to switch careers, improve job prospects, be promoted or learn new skills?
• Select the course. Spend time thinking about which course to select. This
process can be accomplished by perusing different courses on the desired
topic and assessing the course content and necessary prerequisites to
ensure they're in line with the intended objectives.
• Evaluate the time commitment. The individual should evaluate how
much time they can realistically dedicate to the course every week. Since
MOOCs can vary from a few hours per week to more intensive
commitments, it's important to select a course that accommodates the
schedule.
• Determine the course level. The individual should determine whether
they're seeking an introductory, intermediate or advanced course. They
should evaluate their current knowledge and skills in the subject area to
ensure they choose a course that corresponds with their proficiency level.
• Research course reviews and feedback. The individual should search
for reviews or feedback from past students who have completed the course.
This can offer insights into the quality of the course, the effectiveness of
the instructor and the overall learning experience.
Finding MOOCs
Providers of MOOCs are mostly universities but can also be corporate entities. Top
universities and educational institutions, such as Harvard, MIT and Stanford, are
leading MOOC providers. Corporations such as Microsoft and Accenture also provide
publicly available online courses.
Popular MOOC hosting platforms and websites include the following:
• EdX. EdX offers courses on a range of subjects from prestigious universities
and institutions worldwide.
• Coursera. Coursera partners with universities and organizations, and most
of their courses are taught by professors from well-known universities.
• Udacity. Udacity offers niche courses in technology-related fields, such as
programming, data science and artificial intelligence. It provides both paid
and free courses, and some nanodegree programs are also available for
individuals who desire more in-depth study.

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 • FutureLearn. FutureLearn offers courses from universities and institutions
around the world. It encompasses a broad spectrum of subjects, including
but not limited to business, healthcare and social sciences.
MOOC costs, enrollment and pacing
MOOCs come with different price structures, enrollment policies and pacing options
for students, including the following:

• Cost. Costs can range significantly both in price and structure. Many
MOOCs are completely free, whereas online degree programs that contain
a bundle of courses can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Some MOOC
platforms also provide students with the option to apply for financial aid or
scholarships.
• Enrollment. This generally varies by the type of course or program. For
example, courses that aren't for university credit are typically available to
the general public. Enrollment for online degree programs, however, often
requires students to go through a traditional admissions process.
• Pacing. Courses offered for university credit and as part of online degrees
generally follow a traditional semester schedule, while certification MOOCs
can be self-paced or follow an abridged schedule, sometimes only taking
eight weeks to complete. Courses that require live attendance and
adherence to a course schedule are called synchronous courses, whereas
flexible, self-paced courses are called asynchronous courses.
Credentials and MOOC-based degrees
MOOCs can also be used for continuing education certifications and degree programs.
MOOC certification levels typically fall into the following six general categories:

1. Free. These courses are completely free but usually only for audit.
However, students still have the option to pay for an official certificate of
completion at the end of the course.
2. Certificate. Professional certificates for completing individual courses
range from about $20 at the lower end to around $300, with the average
being $50-$100.
3. Micro credential. Micro credential programs typically consist of three to
six courses. Typically, these series of courses are narrow in focus and
provide a specific skill or competency. The pricing for microcourses depends
on the complexity and category of the course. These courses aren't
intended to replace traditional college degrees, but are typically used for
providing low-cost, on-the-job skills upgrades.
4. University credit. Courses in this tier are university-accredited and
comparable to online courses at institutions that provide degrees.
Individual courses at this level can range from a few hundred dollars to a
few thousand dollars.
5. Online degree. Online degree programs are equivalent to master's or
continuing education degree programs at universities and offer comparable
volume and depth of coursework. Online degree programs generally follow

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 a traditional application and admissions process and range from a few
thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
6. Corporate training. Corporate training MOOCs are deployed on an
enterprise level. This pricing option is typically structured as a per-user cost
for access.
Benefits of MOOCs
MOOCs have both benefits and drawbacks. The widespread adoption and use of online
courses provides the following benefits:

• No dependence on a physical location. This can improve collaboration

efforts and save time by eliminating a student's commute. Online education
also enables social distancing.
• Improved access to higher education. Not only is this a function of
convenience, but access to high-quality education in developing countries
can ultimately increase quality of life and contribute to sustainable
professional development efforts by providing a high-quality, accessible
learning infrastructure.
• Affordability of higher education. Scalability makes these types of
courses more cost-effective than in-person courses of comparable scope.
• Flexible learning schedule. Many courses are self-paced, which can
accommodate student work schedules. Even if course completion isn't self-
paced, as with online degree programs, prerecorded lectures can offer more
flexibility on a daily and weekly basis.
• Collaboration opportunities. MOOCs frequently feature a broad and
diverse community of learners from across the globe, which facilitates
networking, collaboration and the sharing of ideas with peers who have
similar interests and objectives.
• Preview of college-level courses. Before fully committing to a degree
program, learners can use MOOCs to get a taste of college-level courses
and improve their comprehension of the subjects.
• Easy performance evaluation and monitoring. Online courses provide
an easy and automated way to monitor student performance and scores
because all the data is captured through the entirety of the course.
Drawbacks of MOOCs
Common drawbacks of MOOCs include the following:

• No structure. Flexibility can make the course more difficult to manage, as

some students require the structure of in-person learning.
• Level of commitment. Some students might not feel as committed to
attending a free online course as they would an in-person course that
requires them to pay tuition.
• Inaccessibility of instructors. Because most instructors are online, they
don't have a physical office, making them less accessible.

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 • Digital literacy required for effective use. Learners must be able to
effectively communicate across digital platforms.
• Fewer opportunities for networking. Students are less likely to form
relationships with instructors and other students.
• Limited accommodation for disabilities. Students with visual or
auditory disabilities might not be accommodated.
• Lack of reliable internet connections. Courses require strong internet
connections, which can be an issue in developing countries and
underprivileged communities.
• Too many choices. When searching for the right course, large amounts
of similar courses for saturated areas, such as computer science, can hinder
the decision-making process for students.
Popular MOOCs
Thousands of MOOCs are available online, but many are offered on popular platforms
and by institutions that have invested in making their courses accessible online.

The following are several popular professional education MOOCs by subject:

• Top online courses for cybersecurity.
• Online courses and certifications for digital transformation.
• Top online internet of things courses.
• Top certifications and courses for project management.

The following are several of the most popular courses across all MOOCs:
• "Introduction to Computer Science" from Harvard University.
• "The Science of Well-Being" from Yale University.
• "Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)" from the
University of Michigan.
• "English for Career Development" from the University of Pennsylvania.
• "Machine Learning" from Stanford University.
• "Cryptography I" from Stanford University.
• "Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere" from Google.

Example MOOC course structure

MOOC courses typically follow a general structure. Though the coursework and
progression are the same as with regular in-person classes, courses are
typically organized into modules. A module contains a lesson or unit for a class. Each
module typically includes a combination of lectures, readings, interactive graphics
and diagrams, problem sets and a quiz or test at the end. A typical module might
include a course syllabus, assigned readings, video lectures, a problem set and a quiz
that's automatically graded once it's submitted.

Module length and depth vary by course. Some courses require a larger time
commitment per week and move through a large amount of content at a fast pace.
Others only require a few hours a week and are more self-paced.

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Advantages of MOOCs
Researchers, workplace trainers, education advocates, HR professionals and others
have identified multiple advantages of the MOOC model. Those benefits include the
following:

• Flexibility. MOOCs let learners access courses from anywhere and usually
at any time.
• Personalized and customizable learning paths. Learners can also
design an educational experience based on what they want or need to learn,
rather than taking a prescribed series of courses as required by traditional
degree-awarding educational institutions. "People can guide their own
learning journey on their own time," said Johnny Martinez, director of
people advisory and organizational change at management consulting firm
Protiviti.
• Extended community. Many MOOCs include opportunities for students to
interact, allowing learners to make new connections and engage in a
community of people with similar interests. "These can be online
communities where people can learn from and share with each other,"
Martinez added.
• Cutting-edge curriculum. Because MOOCs aren't tied to traditional
academic schedules, with courses offered by semesters or prescheduled
periods, instructors can more easily create, launch and update courses as
required.
• Greater access to high-quality instruction. Highly selective academic
institutions, large corporations and notable experts from a range of fields
create and offer MOOCs. "We can bring the best-of-the-best instructors to
the world. That's one of the real tremendous benefits of MOOCs," said David
Leaser, co-founder of IBM's Digital Badge Academy, developer of the IBM
New Collar Certificate Program and a former IBM executive.
• Democratization of learning. Given such advantages, MOOCs
democratize education by removing barriers such as high costs, rigid
schedules and geographic attendance requirements, giving anyone with an
internet connection the ability to participate in courses covering a vast
range of topics.
• Workforce upskilling at scale. MOOCs also offer organizations the ability
to upskill their workers at scale and at velocity, enabling organizations to
more easily adjust to changing market needs. Furthermore, MOOCs let
organizations upskill workers with limited disruptions to their lives. "MOOCs
allow an organization to meet people in the flow of their lives, in the flow
of their work," Leaser said.

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Disadvantages of MOOCs
However, there are drawbacks to MOOCs, such as the following:

• A potential for a disconnected and/or boring experience. The MOOC

online learning experience might not engage all learners. On a related note,
content delivered by MOOCs, particularly those that deliver instruction
asynchronously and don't have any real-time participatory sessions, can
become boring.
• A mismatch with personal learning styles. MOOCs might not
successfully educate learners who require lessons beyond lectures,
presentations, videos and other online learning staples. Such learners
might need, for example, more one-on-one instructor time or more
experiential learning opportunities than typically offered via MOOCs. "We
all learn differently," Martinez noted.
• The high degree of required self-motivation and self-
discipline. Students taking traditional courses must show up to required
classes and complete assigned work, but they're also more likely to have
instructors holding them accountable and/or a substantial financial
investment that keeps them on track. Learners enrolled in MOOCs don't
have those same elements to motivate them, making it harder for many to
commit the time and effort necessary to finish a course. "People need to
stay motivated to do online learning; you almost need to have someone
helping to pace them and stay current with the course work," Leaser said,
adding that courses, such as those from IBM, offer digital badges as
students hit learning milestones to keep them on track.
• A lack of direction. The plethora of options can be a drawback for learners
who need guidance on what courses to take to gain the desired skills or
knowledge. Some MOOC platforms help on that front, but others do not.
• Undetermined and questionable quality. Both the increasing number
of MOOCs and MOOC providers can make it difficult for learners to
determine whether they're signing up for quality instruction. Online reviews
help guide learners, as do platforms that are selective about their offerings.
However, many online learning platforms don't have the same oversight of
coursework and instructors that exists in traditional academic institutions.
• Mixed reception in the job market. Recruiters and hiring managers want
candidates who demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning. Yet
they're often reluctant to credit candidates for courses they've completed
unless they can demonstrate a mastery of the material via a degree,
certification, license or assessment. Similarly, employers might not credit
job candidates and existing employees for MOOCs created by unfamiliar
entities, no matter how good the course content is.

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The credential codes that connote payment upon the completion of an
online course include the following:

• VC s – Verified Certificate payable

• VCA – Verified Certificate of Accomplishment payable
• SP – Statement of Participation payable
• CM – Certificate of Mastery payable
• CC – Certificate of Completion payable
• HCC – Honour Code Certificate payable