History and Design of MOOCs

From Digital Culture & Society

Context

The history of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and its design is a dynamic one that has completely changed the face of modern education. With their roots in the groundbreaking 2008 study conducted by George Siemens and Stephen Downes, MOOCs have revolutionized the field of online education. This revolutionary idea created the groundwork for web-based, open-access systems that could serve an unprecedented number of students worldwide. MOOCs have exhibited exponential development in the past and have had a significant influence on worldwide trends in online education. A thorough book chapter demonstrates how the origins of MOOCs fit in with their larger historical context, providing an in-depth analysis that goes well with the overall synopsis, features, and changing layouts of these classes. Echoing the pattern of MOOC proliferation since their inception, the chapter not only highlights their innovative emergence but also tracks the noteworthy increase in the number of offered courses and registered students. A key factor in the success and accessibility of MOOCs is design. In addition to aesthetics, a well-designed MOOC includes accessibility features, user-friendly navigation, and user-friendly interfaces to make learning enjoyable for a wide range of users. The investigation into MOOC design also involves figuring out why particular people—most notably, time-pressed working professionals—select this kind of instruction. Examining the reasons for MOOC design, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of it, the papers compare MOOCs to traditional in-person training and highlight the unique aspects that make MOOCs appealing. In summary, MOOCs' entwined history and design constitute a revolutionary force in education, transforming learning's accessibility, reach, and methodology on a worldwide scale.

Articles

1. To MOOC or not to MOOC: how can online learning help to build the future of higher education?
2. MOOCs: an updated look at the benefits and challenges of MOOCs designed for working professionals.
3. Learners’ perspectives on MOOC design

Nw20de 15:37, 7 December 2023 (EST)