By Vanshika Saikia
MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) is a step towards revolutionizing education worldwide. As open source MOOC platforms become more and more popular, students all over the world are enrolling in online courses.
What are these MOOCs all about, then?
1. These are available to anybody with an internet connection
Learners of all age groups, all over the world can enroll in different courses, as these are easily accessible via these open source platforms, such as edX, Coursera, Udemy, Canvas.
2. These courses cover all kinds of subjects and skillsets
Popular courses on Coursera include Graphic Design, Business Foundations, Algorithms, Music Business, poetry courses etc.
Courses in engineering, data sciences, humanities, business management are available on edX, including certain unique ones on philanthropy, law, art, and culture. Udemy even has courses on Ethical Hacking, Photoshop and working out!
3. Interactive learning, lessons, and games are used to make these courses more fruitful
The instructor uses recorded video lessons, games and tests so that you can engage with new ideas better. The more one engages with an idea, the deeper their understanding of it.
Tests or quizzes come after the introduction of a concept so that the learner can grasp it better. As some courses even include online games, labs with interactive material, teachers have even begun using these courses in their real-life classrooms!
4. Some courses are instructor-paced, some are self-paced
The instructor-led courses require the learners to schedule their studying time as new content and modules are released as per the set deadlines. For the more popular self-paced courses, you can take your time studying, testing yourself and earning your certificate.
5. Instant feedback improves performance and makes test-taking more efficient and time-saving
Courses can have peer-reviewed assignments, quizzes, MCQs or tests which may take a few days to be assessed or may be graded instantly, as soon as you are done with it. This gives the learner an immediate response after test taking.
Also Read: Delhi University Might Plan To Start Entrance Exams For Admissions To All Its Courses From 2019
6. It is social – you learn with a huge community of students worldwide
Online courses are not as lonely as you’d think. There are discussion forums, places to ask and answer each other’s doubts, grading and assessing other people’s performances as they assess yours, making it truly a different kind of shared experience.
7. Even teachers can benefit – by becoming instructors!
MOOC courses also give teachers worldwide the opportunity to become an instructor and start their own courses, using these platform for business purposes. There are also several business tools available, to enroll in courses important for business leaders as well as employees.
8. MicroMasters Programs, Online Masters degree, Professional Certificates, Specialisations, all are available
So, enrolling into a MOOC course not just allows you to learn something new, improve your skills, and pursue your interests, but also to earn credit, transform one’s resume by adding significant skills and accomplishments, and advance academically or professionally.
As MOOCs usher in a new era in education, one must explore and avail of the fresh opportunities and advantages these bring to all those who are keen to learn!
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Forbes
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