What is a MOOC?

MOOCs are mostly free open online courses at various institutions, including Ivy League schools. As categorized by Stephanie Bonjack (2013), MOOCs are an Ivy League education for the masses. These courses can have a variety of components such as lectures, quizzes, and are designed to withstand high enrollment (Bonjack 2013). While some courses may have hundreds and maybe even thousands of students enrolled, not all students will complete the MOOC.  Even if this occurs, the student is not penalized and does not receive a failing grade as he/she would normally receive at a higher education institution. In my opinion, MOOCs provide an avenue to learning and can make an individual more marketable in the job search. 

I’m not sure the impact MOOCs will have on higher education institutions and online degree programs or courses.  Look at how Georgia Institute of Technology has collaborated with Udacity and AT&T to create a MOOC-based Master’s Degree program costing around $6,600.  This will definitely be an option potential students consider and/or choose as they pursue advanced degrees.  As I think about this, I have concerns about the quality of content, ability to transfer courses/credit hours to other degree programs or institutions if one wishes to pursue a second Master’s or an advanced degree, and how creditable and valuable will the program/degree be view by potential employers. These are all issues that make me ponder. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see how things play out. 

So, one of the requirements for this course is to participate in a MOOC.  I wasn’t sure what topic I wanted to take. So as I was perusing the course offerings from the well-known MOOC leaders, I by happenstance found a MOOC titled Learn HTML5 Programming From Scratch. After watching the introduction video to the course, I decided to sign up for this one.  HTML5 is a hot topic in web design and while I have some knowledge about it, I’ve always wanted to increase it. I look forward to participating in this MOOC course and examining how MOOC courses operate.


Sources:

Bonjack, S. (2013). Library love: MOOCs - an Ivy League education for the masses. 

Why MOOCs?

Hello!

My name is Tasha Brown and this blog will fulfill the requirements for AHE 602: Problems in Higher Education: MOOCs.  Currently I am an Instructional Designer at the University of Alabama. 

As a student enrolled in this course, I am interested in how MOOCs are reshaping learning at higher education institutions. I would like to know the impact MOOCs are having on online learning and gain ideas from MOOCs as it relates to design, engagement, structure, etc. and apply them to courses I design.   While I have read about MOOCs, I have not taken one. Thus, I look forward to completing and critiquing one along with creating my own micro-MOOC. 

I think this course will be interesting and a continuing learning experience as MOOCs evolve.