Beginner’s Guide to Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

Off late across the Internet and Social Media platforms including micro-blogging sites we have been bombarded with a lot of online deliverable courses by world-famous universities and global private players. These are nothing but, Massive Open Online Courses – MOOCs.

MOOC – An Introduction

MOOC meaning Massive Open Online Course is a distance learning e-course that is accessible to anybody who enrolls in it. Typically comprising of readings, video lessons, presentations, and assessments, they act as a standalone study for students as well as professionals interested in studying a particular subject in depth without having to attend a traditional university course.

Features of Massive Open Online Courses aka MOOCs

Registration in a MOOC are unlimited and hundreds of students can enroll at the same time.There is no admission process as such and anybody irrespective of their age, qualification and geographical location can enroll in the program.

Most of the MOOCs are self-paced and can be started at any time while few might start at regular intervals like thrice a year or twice a month.

With a goal to teach a specific subject/topic, Massive Open Online Courses are offered by universities, course providers and also private companies such as Google, Microsoft and Linux Foundation.

Instructors do not grade the enrolled student in a MOOC. If a student completes his/her MOOC, he/she might even receive a ‘certificate of completion. ’This certificate can either be free or you have to pay for it.

Benefits of MOOCs to its Participants

• Massive Open Online Courses are free or have a small registration fees unlike traditional university courses
• Allows you to boost your knowledge by gaining access to expertise that you otherwise might not have access to
• Gives you an opportunity to learn and collaborate with your peers worldwide
• Create global network and connections
• Gives you a platform to engage with professors and fellow students via online discussions and forums

Summary

Massive Open Online Courses despite being in their early stages of maturity is an economical way to study new and latest courses by the top players and renowned universities without having to leave your home and office. Moving forward, MOOCs, most likely will play a major role in tackling major worldwide issues through community action.