INTERNETOLOGY Ep. 1: MOOCs & Online Learning Platforms

INTERNETOLOGY Ep. 1: MOOCs & Online Learning Platforms

MOOCs and Online Learning platforms have significantly changed the realm of education & learning when it comes to the internet!

In this episode, I provide a brief definition of what MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) are and what they consist of — MOOCs are self-guided, accessible, and simple forms of learning via the Internet. I will discuss the benefits regarding MOOCs, such as how the Internet has increased accessibility to education via MOOCs, creating less barriers when it comes to receiving an education, and how MOOCs allow individuals to learn new skills and develop current ones.

Furthermore, I will discuss the controversies and challenges regarding MOOCs, such as high dropout rates, lack of personal contact, and a lack of strict standards and proper supervision. More research has to be done in order to fully understand the benefits of MOOCs & combating MOOC deficits — however, MOOCs have been found to increase "lifelong learning, professional competence development, validation of learning, and degree recognition, in addition to clarifying several business models of higher education” (Ossiannilsson, et al., 2016).

In addition, I will explore other online learning platforms, like Youtube, Khan Academy, and LinkedIn Learning to explain how these online learning platforms utilize the Internet to expand the realm of education that permit individuals to learn new skills and receive educational support.

Finally, I will reiterate how the ability to learn via the Internet is absolutely AMAZING & share personal tidbits along the way!

*Chapters:*
00:00 Introduction
01:07 What are MOOCs?
03:20 MOOCs Advantages (Shukla, 2018)
14:54 Online Courses v.s. MOOCs (University of Cape Town)
26:13 How do MOOCs change the way we learn?
29:17 Udacity
30:37 “Napster, Udacity, and the Academy” (Shirky, 2012)
40:15 MOOCs Controversies
40:47 The challenge with MOOCs (Atiaja, L. A., & Proenza, R., 2016)
55:35 “A Case for MOOC’s” (LeClair, J., & Ferrer, T., 2014)
1:01:01 MOOCs & innovation (Ossiannilsson, E., Altinay, F., & Altinay, Z., 2016)
1:07:20 Other online learning platforms
1:08:01 Youtube
1:09:55 Khan Academy
1:15:37 LinkedIn Learning
1:18:14 How do online learning platforms change the way we learn?
1:19:24 TLDR
1:28:03 Personal Tidbits
1:37:43 Outro

*References:*

Shirky, C. (2012). Napster, Udacity, and the Academy.

*Credit(s):*