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= Overview = 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. Some MOOC's may charge for graded items, course completion certificates, or exams. 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.

<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.¹</span> <span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: ProximaNovaRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 1;">“The evolving form knits together education, entertainment (think gaming) and social networking. Unlike its antecedent, open courseware — usually written materials or videotapes of lectures that make you feel as if you’re spying on a class from the back of the room — the MOOC is a full course made with you in mind.”– Published in The Year of the MOOC in 2012²</span>

<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: ProximaNovaRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 1;">“That’s done a lot for affordability and accessibility for not only lower-income families but even middle-income families now“The evolving form knits together education,” </span><span style="color: rgbaentertainment (0think gaming) and social networking. Unlike its antecedent, 0, 0, 0open courseware — usually written materials or videotapes of lectures that make you feel as if you’re spying on a class from the back of the room — the MOOC is a full course made with you in mind.8); font-family: ProximaNovaRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 1;">- Hennessy who worked at Stanford for nearly 40 years and founder ”– Published in The Year of MIPS Computer Systems³the MOOC in 2012</span>

[1]&nbsp;[https://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jan/20/moocs-global-thirst-education The Guardian]

[2]&nbsp;[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/education/edlife/massive-open-online-courses-are-multiplying-at-a-rapid-pace.html The NY Times] [3]&nbsp;[https://www.timeshighereducation.com/features/massive-open-online-courses-moocs-can-transform-education-but-not-yet#survey-answer Times Higher Education]