The thought of a higher education usually brings with it images of aging professors in tweed jackets, a students scarved and sitting under a tree preparing for their mid-terms. Outside of campus though is whole other world of learning. An online and usually free one.
A MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is a course that is accessible to anyone with an internet connection. MOOC's like regular university courses have lectures, assessment and a credential. Edx, formed by M.I.T and Harvard, is a provider and producer of MOOCs and offer courses ranging from an 'Introduction to Computer Science' to 'The science of happiness' and the cost of signing up to them is free (although a verified certificate will cost a minimal fee).
Last year Coursera Inc. , had 522 courses on offer, a number of which come from elite institutions such as Princeton University and Stanford College. With such a bounty of free education from reputable schools already available, parents might be fretting that in the future their teenagers may not even have to leave the nest to study never-mind tree.
A MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is a course that is accessible to anyone with an internet connection. MOOC's like regular university courses have lectures, assessment and a credential. Edx, formed by M.I.T and Harvard, is a provider and producer of MOOCs and offer courses ranging from an 'Introduction to Computer Science' to 'The science of happiness' and the cost of signing up to them is free (although a verified certificate will cost a minimal fee).
Last year Coursera Inc. , had 522 courses on offer, a number of which come from elite institutions such as Princeton University and Stanford College. With such a bounty of free education from reputable schools already available, parents might be fretting that in the future their teenagers may not even have to leave the nest to study never-mind tree.
The problem with MOOCs is that they can't offer a 'real' university experience and many professors agree that education is not simply about the content of the course but about discussion, networking and context. These and other limitations such as access labs and face to face conversation with tutors and lecturers dilute the learning experience.
While MOOC's may not change the face education, they provide amny people an opportunity to increase their own knowledge and better educate themselves. So whether you might want to explore the planets beyond our solar system, keep the little ones healthy or fatten up your brain there is a course to pick up for free.
References:
www.coursera.org
While MOOC's may not change the face education, they provide amny people an opportunity to increase their own knowledge and better educate themselves. So whether you might want to explore the planets beyond our solar system, keep the little ones healthy or fatten up your brain there is a course to pick up for free.
References:
www.coursera.org
Belkin, D. 2014 'Can MOOCs and Universities Co-Exist?' http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303825604579515521328500810
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