“Over a
little more than a year, Coursera in Moutainview, California – the largest of
three companies developing and hosting massive open online courses (MOOCS) –
has introduced 328 different courses from 62 universities in 17 countries (left).
The platform’s 2.9 million registered users come from more than 220 countries
(center). And courses span subjects as diverse as pre-calculus, equine
nutrition and introductory jazz improvision (right).”
From the
data I have posted above, we can all see how diverse and large MOOCs is growing
to be. This has to be because it is efficient. MOOCs is fairly new; it became
relevant to academia in the summer of 2011. Through some reading I have found
out more about MOOCs and its growth.
According
to Waldrop, The ferment is attributable in part to
MOOCs hitting at exactly the right time. Bricks-and-mortar campuses are
unlikely to keep up with the demand for advanced education: according to one
widely quoted calculation, the world would have to construct more than four new
30,000-student universities per week to accommodate the children who will reach
enrolment age by 2025 (see go.nature.com/mjuzhu),
let alone the millions of adults looking for further education or career
training. Colleges and universities are also under tremendous financial
pressure, especially in the United States, where rocketing tuition fees and
ever-expanding student debt have resulted in a backlash from politicians,
parents and students demanding to know what their money is going towards.
This gives me reason to believe that MOOCs
is only going to continue growing in the steady pace seen above in the chart to
the left as time goes on. How do you feel about this? Do you like this idea? Or
would you rather continue with a traditional learning environment?
I agree that MOOCs will continue to grow, and that other online learning environments will surface and flourish with technological advancement. Technology acts as a tool for humanity, enabling us to become more efficient while simultaneously evolving knowledge. Internet technology has already progressed the shopping experience with creation of e-tailers and other online shopping platforms. It only makes sense that technology will resolve conflicts regarding the future of education.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. Great comparison with e-tailers!
DeleteI think the days of traditional lecture are numbered, and therefore tenured teaching positions. As it develops, I think it will make education cheaper and more accessible, and create better education due to increased competition amongst universities. With our ever increasing developed economy, the way we get higher education will need to change. It's becoming almost a necessity to have a Master's degree to get a professional job, and I think MOOCS will make it easier for people to gain a better education faster.
ReplyDeleteYou make some great points. MOOCs could have a very bright future. Tenured teaching positions I think would be a great thing to see go, seeing that once most professors get tenure they lack in the classroom. I do agree that MOOCs can allow us to easily access a quality higher education.
DeleteI do believe that number MOOCs will continue to grow to meet the ever growing need of upper level education, but I feel there will be a balance between seated and online classes in most universities. Because some people just can not focus on the work if they are not seated and listening to an instructor teach.
ReplyDeleteI actually just made a new blog post about the challenges that MOOCs presents, and I agree with you. This new modern way of learning may not be beneficial to someone who prefers the traditional setting, and hybrid campuses may very well be the best option to maintain a consistent growth in higher education.
DeleteAs time we will grow with the future and that will become our traditional learning. we have technology today far more advance than it was years ago so I don't see a reason to slow down if we head the right direction.
ReplyDeleteI agree. As technology takes us farther, 9 times out of 10, future generations will begin with the newest technology. When we were younger the coolest learning tool was LeapFrog; now for kids it's an iPad. So I think you make a great point.
DeleteAnother perk of the MOOC's is the diversity that is brought to the "classsroom" in this environment. When you have communications with this many people from potentially all around the globe you can gain insight that would never be available in a traditional environment.
ReplyDeleteThis is very true. This could create such diversified thinking and a creative learning environment that I didn't even think about. Great point!
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