Massive Open Online Courses, also known as MOOCs, are a novel approach to distance learning. These free Web-based programs are uniquely designed to serve large numbers of students dispersed across geographical locations. They have revolutionised the educational sector by offering free online courses for individuals seeking higher education, executive education, or employee development. These courses are expertly delivered by esteemed lecturers from some of the world’s renowned educational institutions.
How MOOCs Transform Global Education
MOOCs democratise education by allowing anyone with internet accessibility to participate in quality education. Regardless of geographical location, MOOCs provide a remarkable opportunity of attaining virtual education. They are expected to shape the future of higher education worldwide significantly. For instance, the Indian government recently launched the SWAYAM platform, a dedicated online course service. This initiative made India one of the largest MOOC learners worldwide, subsequently succeeding the US to become the second-largest market.
Challenges Faced by MOOC Platform
Although MOOCs have been instrumental in transforming the education landscape, they face significant challenges. Contrary to edu-tech startups that charge for their content, MOOC platforms generally struggle due to the low retention rate and increased affluence among students. The motivation to complete the course and immediate doubt resolution, essential needs of learners, often go unfulfilled in MOOCs leading to high dropout rates. Particularly in technical training, the lack of interactivity and real-life projects become huge shortcomings for MOOCs. The fact that more than 90% of MOOC participants do not complete their courses raises concerns about this educational model’s efficacy.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Free Web-based program | MOOCs |
| Large number of geographically dispersed students | Target audience |
| Second largest market for MOOCs | India |
| Completion rate in MOOCs | Less than 10% |
Future Prospects of MOOC Platform
Despite the challenges, MOOC platforms look towards innovative solutions for sustainability and relevance. High engagement levels can be achieved by diversifying the forms of MOOCs, creating a tiered approach and partnering with universities for reskilling and upskilling. The Freemium business model provides a platform to balance between sustainability and all-inclusive access. This model combines free and premium services offering basic services for free trial and advanced features at a cost. It’s necessary to consider different pricing mechanisms for basic assignments, grading, certification, or mentor-led levels of the same courses for financial viability. Adopting a B2B model, where MOOC platforms partner with corporations for employee skill development, could also be a potential way forward.
