Changes

Massive open online courses (MOOC) are a way to make knowledge and information available to anyone. Like the name implies, they are online courses, [[File:MOOCpopularity.png]]which are open to anyone. There are many free options available, but paid courses also exist. The courses do not count for credit. As they are open to anyone, attending university is not a requirement. However, they provide a great way for people to not only access course information and materials (such as documents, videos, and exercises) but also to participate and interact with the facilitators and other participants. Due to the nature of the course, it is up to the students to decide how much they actually learn. These courses are offered by many universities and organizations and the topics covered range across all disciplines.

1. MOOC use technology to teach information in new and innovative ways that may not be available in regular classroom settings. 

2. Students can educate themselves about topics not available to them at their universities.

3. Students can gain knowledge and skills that may not be directly relevant to their studies.

4. A stress-free, low threshold way to learn; no need to worry about grades and payments.

5. Due to the overwhelming amount of classes now available, there is a class available on almost any topic or subject. 

6. They are all available to you anywhere with internet access! 

1. Self-regulation is a must. If you're the type of person that has trouble staying focussed, this may not be for you.

2. Due to the massivess of the courses (many participants), controlling the learning process is difficult for instructors.

3. Digital literacy and a computer are required to participate. These courses are not suited for rural third world areas.

4. With the huge availability of these courses, it may be difficult to know where to start.  = Impact of MOOCs = <span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: ProximaNovaRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 1;">"In South America, China, countries in Africa, there is a huge appetite for learning, and some of the world's best courses are being offered online. If people are genuinely fascinated by learning, then why not? The real challenge is to allow those countries not just consume and study Moocs, but also to create them." - Mike Sharples, chair of Educational Technology. He published a report in 2012 predicting the rise of MOOCs.</span> <span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: ProximaNovaRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 1;">- [https://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jan/20/moocs-global-thirst-education The Guardian]</span>

[http://oli.cmu.edu/ Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative] "The Open Learning Initiative offers online courses to anyone who wants to learn or teach. Our aim is to combine open, high-quality courses, continuous feedback, and research to improve learning and transform higher education."

[https://online.duke.edu/ Duke University] "Endowed in 1924, Duke is a university with the ambition and audacity to make a global impact in our new century. We seek to grow, connect, and empower diverse and inclusive communities of excellence to enhance the creation, delivery, and translation of knowledge for a rapidly changing world. Through online learning, Duke seeks to offer flexible global learning opportunities to a wide set of students throughout their lives."

[http://www.extension.harvard.edu/open-learning-initiative H][http://www.extension.harvard.edu/open-learning-initiative arvard Open Courses]&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"Videos for the following free Harvard courses are made available by the Harvard Extension School's Open Learning Initiative. Featuring Harvard faculty, the noncredit courses are open to the public. You do not need to register to view the lecture videos."</span>

Still confused about MOOCs? Watch this great short video written and narrated by Dave Cormier.&nbsp;

&#x7B;&#x7B;#Widget:Youtube|id=eW3gMGqcZQc&#x7D;&#x7D; An interesting TED talk about MOOCs

&#x7B;&#x7B;#Widget:Youtube|id=iE7YRHxwoDs&#x7D;&#x7D;

= '''Contributors to this page'''=

&#x5B;&#x5B;Kaz Middelhoek|Kaz Middelhoek&#x5D;&#x5D;