MOOCs And Higher Education In India?

A MOOC is a model of educational delivery that is, to varying degrees, massive, with theoretically no limit to enrollment; open, allowing anyone to participate, usually at no cost; online, with learning activities typically taking place over the web; and a course, structured around a set of learning goals in a defined area of study.

- John Pereira

The range of MOOCs embody these principles in different ways, and the particulars of how MOOCs function continue to evolve. Still, even without a definitive model of what they are or do, MOOCs have prompted a reexamination of many of the conventions of higher education, including the role of faculty and the institution, accreditation, and criteria for awarding credit.

How does it work?

Most MOOCs are structured similar to traditional online higher education courses. A MOOC has a syllabus, and course content typically consists of readings, assignments, and lectures, which are often short (6–12 minutes) “micro-lectures.” Students watch the lectures, read assigned material, participate in online discussions and forums, and complete quizzes and tests on the course material. The online activities can be augmented by face-to-face meetups of MOOC participants who live close to one another. MOOCs are conducted by organizations— both nonprofit or for-profit—that include education as at least part of their mission. These organizations decide what to teach and at what level, and they form teams of faculty and support staff to design the MOOC, develop the content, and conduct the course. A MOOC might be offered through an entity such as Coursera or edX, but there is nothing to prevent an institution from offering MOOCs on its own. Aspects of some MOOCs involve a fee, including proctoring and options for students to receive a completion certificate or credit for the course.

Who’s doing it?