MOOCs - A way ahead

MOOCs as effective alternatives to Conventional Learning

            A staggering number of students, approximately 2 million, migrate every year to have access quality higher education. Governments across the world, especially in developing countries, are facing serious challenges in ensuring universal and affordable education to their citizens. Several initiatives like subsidised schooling, distance education programs etcetera, have not been able to realize the objective. Recently, several universities have come together to provide affordable courses which can be accessed using the internet. These courses are called MOOCs - Massive Open Online Courses. MOOCs can provide an effective alternative to Conventional Classroom Learning.

            Firstly, MOOCs reduce the cost of learning. Most universities in the world, unless subsidised by the government, have exorbitant tuition fees. They are also devoid of adequate residential facilities. The cost of tuition coupled with high rents near university campuses takes a heavy toll on students' financial positioning. The students are required to move from their native places to university campuses, which incurs additional travelling expenditure. MOOCs, on the other hand, do away with the all such requirements. A student can sit at his home, pay a nominal fee and yet, receive most of the benefits. Since MOOCs are taken by a large number of students, the cost per student turns out to be very less in comparison to the former method. Thus, MOOCs are cost effective.

            Moreover, MOOCs encourage multidisciplinary learning. While several universities across the world have been giving a major push to interdisciplinary studies and research, these efforts have been stymied by constraints like lack of adequate teachers and faculties. MOOCs allow students to customize their courses, getting the best of all domains across the world. It may not be possible for a university to expose their students to best of the teachers in all the disciplines, but an MOOC platform can bring all the experts under a roof. Therefore, students can learn a multitude of subjects at a time.

            Additionally, going to a university requires students to dedicate a significant part of their career making years. Several students have to work just after their high school as they've to fend for themselves. These students miss the opportunity to earn a degree despite their interest in pursuing the same. Though some universities do offer part time courses, prohibitive work locations are often the case. MOOCs come to the rescue of these students. A student can work during the day and take courses in the evening hours to supplement her qualification and knowledge. Hence, MOOCs bring a larger number of students under the umbrella of education.

            Another advantage of MOOCs is they allow students to learn at their pace.  A university's curriculum is designed keeping in mind average speed at which students understand. However, most students' assimilation pace digresses from the average. Some learn faster and some slower. This results in wastage of time of few whereas few students are unable to cope up.  Due to this reason, the entire learning process becomes the antithesis of what it should be. MOOCs can solve this problem. Even though there are deadlines to keep students on track, they're flexible to let students take their own time. Hence, MOOCs; help in customizing the course to suit to student's abilities. 

            Hence, we see that MOOCs can offer a solution to students seeking learning avenues as they're cost-effective, comfortable for working professionals, facilitate multidisciplinary learning and help students to learn at their pace. Such initiative must be advertised and encouraged so as to have a more learned world to live in.