Following on from the first-ever MOOC (massive open online course) in 2008, the MIT OpenCourseWare project, there has been a wave of platforms introduced with similar objectives at their core; providing students free and global access to education via the internet with unlimited participation.
However, not all MOOCs are the same. Some, like Udacity and Coursera, are commercial platforms, whilst others like edX and Khan Academy and non-profit organizations. MOOCs can be differentiated along the cost-to-the-user axis too: some offer entirely free services, whilst others offer “freemium” (portmanteau of free and premium) educational content. In the freemium business model, students generally gain access to specialized content free-of-charge and pay to undertake assessments and gain certifications.
A tale of two MOOCs
To better understand the services different MOOCs provide, we can take a look at the functionality of two of the most popular online education platforms that offer entirely distinct experiences; edX and Udemy.
edX is primarily designed to provide a tailored distance learning experience from reputed Universities and distinguished professors. edX seeks to ensure users walk away from their classes having thoroughly digested the information they hoped to by interpreting interactive assessments within short videos, which are part of a larger weekly learning sequence. Moreover, edX provides practical learning opportunities for courses that require a hands-on element, such as their circuits and electronics course, wherein students utilized online labs to design virtual circuits. Further, edX has incorporated a “blended classroom” experience in collaboration with various nations like China, Japan, and the United States. This provides users a mix of the traditional classroom experience, with an online component.
edX also has a research arm within its organization: the company uses data to analyze how students learn, the demographics of users, and general-purpose research into distance education. This data is used by researchers at leading institutes, like MIT, to conduct studies into online education delivery.
On the other hand, Udemy offers online courses that are primarily undertaken by users who seek to improve skills related to their professional careers, such as using the Microsoft Suite, graphic design software, and coding platforms. Udemy is unique as its platform provides a user-friendly experience for instructors to design courses on their specializations. Udemy’s course development toolkit enables instructors to incorporate a myriad of media and files to design bespoke learning experiences, which are complemented by interactions with their students. Additionally, there’s Udemy for Business, which is an offering that enables corporations to utilize the platform’s course development tools to design corporate training material.
The Good and the Bad
MOOCs have received acclaim for facilitating access to top-quality higher education, both in the developing world and otherwise. As technology continues to become more affordable, and the internet more widespread, MOOCs exponentially grow their user base. This is complemented by the, relatively, affordable price tag, made possible by detangling the services traditional higher education institutes bundle up. This compounds the accessibility of the service, making it possible for students across the globe to receive credentials from reputed institutions. Moreover, collaboration on a global scale is made possible as students from all around the world can discuss ideas seamlessly using the interactive features on some of these platforms. Additionally, the flexibility offered is unparalleled, with students having the ability to plan their academic commitments as they choose.
However, this leads us on to some of the criticism MOOCs have received. Although flexibility is useful, it may operate as a double-edged sword. Students using MOOC services must self-regulate, an experiment that has proven less than successful, as evidenced by the high rate of dropouts from courses. Another concern is the requisite level of digital literacy required to utilize these services. Though some may argue that digital literacy is an expected skill, especially in a world of remote working and learning, it still serves to raise the barrier of entry, especially in developing parts of the world.
Conclusion
However, all things considered, MOOCs are a much-needed disruption to the antiquated education industry. As higher education costs continue to rise and international travel continues to be discouraged in a post-COVID world, MOOCs offer a great solution to a range of problems.
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