edX Demo Reflection

What are your thoughts on MOOCs in education? 

            I think MOOCs are a great way for students and adults alike to continue building their education.  These courses can be fun, engaging, and very educational to the participant.  MOOCs can help people become lifelong learners at an affordable cost, FREE!  I do not think MOOCs will replace higher education, however.  I still see college courses, online classes, etc. taking priority over a MOOC.

Are they the future of learning? 

            I don’t know if I believe MOOCs are the future of learning.  It is very cool that these courses are free and they have a certificate to show completion, but the drawbacks seem to outweigh the pros (at this point in time). I can see MOOCs becoming a great way for people to gain professional development or learn the basics of a topic before switching majors.  However, I still have doubts about the future of MOOCs.  How will they be funded?  This question is one that will have a major impact on the future of MOOCs, in my opinion.  IF MOOCs choose to have a small fee for entrance or assessments, this will deter people from participating.  The same can be said for MOOCs if they allow advertisements to help support their courses.  People will be fed up with “waiting/watching” an ad and the population of people who use MOOCs may decline.

Who do they benefit and who do they harm? 

            MOOCs benefit nearly anyone who would like to become a lifelong learner regardless of age, race, gender, etc.  Because MOOCs are open to anyone and they’re free, anyone can log in and learn more about a topic.  MOOCs can really benefit the workplace as well.  Professional development is a big part of most career paths, and companies/corporations/administrators are always looking for “cheap” ways to provide this professional development.  MOOCs can be the answer to that.

            At this point, the only real harm they do is to the other professional developments that might get passed up because they are more expensive.  I think in the future they could compete with college courses depending on two things.  One, how they will support themselves in terms of money, will they insert ads or will they start charging a fee.  Two, will the courses count towards a degree/credit hours, or will the classes only give a certificate of completion.

 Can you see them making their way into K-12 environments? 

            I can see MOOCs making their way into a k-12 environment, but I can’t see them replacing any of the high schools we currently have.  They are a great way to enhance the classroom and provide the teachers with technology resources and subject specific resources (depending on the course).  I could see teachers supplementing lessons and building off of the courses that are already used in MOOCs.  In the elementary grades it may be a little harder to incorporate MOOCs, but it can still be done.  I would think MOOCs would be more successful in home schooling situations where the “teacher” can pull from numerous resources or just have the student go through each course.