Massive Open Online Course - Case Study Example

? Massive Open Online (MOOC) Massive Open Online (MOOC) is considered to be a free online initiative aimed to up and teachindividuals with modern education theories and skills. The main aim of this paper has been to explore if/when a MOOC is right for an individual. With due analysis of the overall study, it has been determined that MOOC is one of the most convenient ways of learning or updating the skills of an individual sitting anywhere in the world. However, many critics believe it to be an initiative which lacks in modern technological aspects as it has been a rapid target of hackers. Despite such obstacles if the stated solutions are adapted, the program can be developed as one of the best ways of updating an individual’s learning skills. Overview Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is determined to be one of the most common topics amid many institutional critics over the years. It is considered to be an online course generally developed for large scale, cooperative involvement and open admission via the web with the prime motive of providing mas education facilities. The process of MOOC is measured to be much advanced than traditional course materials. As it not only provides videos, readings and problem sets but it also offers an opportunity to interact with users which facilitates the students, professors and teaching assistance to build a cooperative community. With the rapid development in the technological periphery and an increasing number of people aiming to continue studies along with their jobs, it has provided a major opportunity for academic centers to adopt the new technique of providing education via the web. However, there have been significant developments which cite MOOC to be a threat in the educational sector (Educause, 2013; Weiss, 2013). The main objective of this paper is to provide a descriptive study that would explain the importance of MOOC in today’s educational context. Additionally, the paper would also show the importance of MOOC and when an individual can go for MOOC. Discussion 1. One Problem Along with Question that would be addressed Today’s age is considered to amongst the most fluctuating era as everything changes within a ‘blink of an eye’. It is therefore very essential for every individual to update their skills and knowledge to maintain their leading position in the competitive market. However, it has been viewed that there exists very limit sources that can be considered as an effective mode for learning modern procedures and gathering knowledge. In addition, it has been measured that there exist numerous people who do not get adequate time from their working schedule to gain updated knowledge simultaneously with their work, as they need to earn their livelihood for managing their family (Pope, 2013). MOOC was developed with the prime motive of delivering learning contents online to any person located anywhere in the globe with no limit on attendance. It is generally an online program which provides an opportunity to connect with different people in terms of sharing thoughts, ideas through webinars, articles and online discussion on the individual’s specific topics of interest. Additionally, another prime advantage of MOOC is that it provides a list of resources gathered from different academic initiatives along with updated learning syllabus. It has also been viewed that MOOC form of education involves project based learning that guides individuals to create plans to increase their intellectual and technical knowledge. In an era of financial reductions by federal bodies, it has been viewed that schools and colleges have cut budgets related to developing professional developments within individuals. It has been viewed that MOOC is a relatively new innovation in the education sector that provides a major prospect for individuals to help bridge their achievements in their academic aspects along with offering a scope to earn income to support their livelihood. However, it has been viewed that many critics suggest that the future market of the MOOC model seems to be poor in comparison with other forms of learning initiatives taken by various academic bodies (Rees, 2013; Zhu, 2012). The question that would be addressed is to complete an investigation regarding the issue of access faced by users of MOOC located around the globe. 2. Range of Solution Along with Strength and Weakness of Each Solution Since the launch of MOOC initiative, there have been numerous discussions highlighting the key problems relating to the modern initiative of providing learning opportunities free-of-cost. The first factor that has been viewed is the problem of hacking. It has been viewed that the data of the individuals associated with the project are often lost or stolen. The issue of technology has also been a major problem of the MOOC. It is considered that the technology used lacks in the way modern education institutes teach their students. Additionally, the costs of running online classes are considerably high in comparison with physical teaching sessions (Erlichson, 2013; Stanford Graduate School of Education, 2013). Three varied solutions to mitigate the above stated problems are stated hereunder: Hacking. The problem of hacking in the information technology (IT) sector has been witnessed from the past. In this aspect, MOOC can update its platforms and script. It has been viewed that many of these IT tools are created using open-source software that are often available on the web. Therefore, updating would facilitate to stop hackers from getting an access to the website. Additionally, the website used for MOOC can install security plugins to enhance the security platform of the website, along with detecting and stopping illegal access (IBM Corporation, 2009). Strength Regular update of platforms and scripts would prevent hackers from getting access to the main database of the MOOC as the sources available would not match with the sources accessible on the web. Furthermore, installation of security plugins would aid in detecting unwanted access and would automatically stop access on the website (IBM Corporation, 2009). Weakness It is believed that the platforms used in websites are generated using open sources. Therefore, it is possible that the sources for the updated platform would soon be available on the web, providing opportunities for the hackers to hack the website. It is worth mentioning that the security plugins would only stop access of unwanted programs however, they do not detect the IP of the hackers (IBM Corporation, 2009). Technology. Another major problem associated with MOOC is technology. It has been stated that the technology used by MOOC is not updated as compared to the academic websites of different reputed institutions. In this regard, software engineers can be hired to update a user-friendly websites. Strength Update in the user interface would help in attracting more individuals to join the academic initiative taken. Weakness It has often been viewed that update in user interface at times creates a barrier amid the individuals who are not aware of the technological aspect to a certain extent (Taylor, 2013). Cost. Cost is considered to be another problem in the MOOC context. It has been measured that almost US$12,975.14 is required for running an online classroom. In this regard, subsidiary products which are considered to be less expensive than the stated equipment can be adapted to conduct the classes. Additionally, US$1 can be charged as an enrollment fee which can contribute to meet the equipment cost (Erlichson, 2013). Strength Introduction of enrollment fee can help in collecting funds required for buying high end equipment which can provide clear pictures and audio video files. Additionally, it would also help in attracting more individuals to avail the course (Erlichson, 2013). Weakness The major weakness of the solution would be the policy of implementing enrollment fee. This would create an opportunity for many academic centers to create a MOOC model of their own with the same fee, diverting individuals to join their program (Erlichson, 2013). 3. Recommendation Technology is considered to play a vital role in every individual’s life in the modern era. The rapid development of technology has not only made people’s task easier but has also provided a distinct opportunity to increase their knowledge sitting anywhere. From the above discussion, it can be viewed that MOOC is observed to be a fee online program established with the prime motive of developing skills and updating the knowledge of individuals without attending any physical classes. However, it is observed that the program has at times been criticized by many academic critics for lacking in technological aspects. Additionally it has also been viewed that MOOC has been in a prominent ad soft target of hackers to steal valuable data of the individuals. In this regard, if the above mentioned solutions are adapted the program can meet the expectation of the individuals which would result in increasing in the enrollment rate. Thus, it can be stated that MOOC would be right to update the skills and knowledge of an individual if the person is working as an employee in any organization or has gained academic qualification years ago. References Educause. (2013). What Is a MOOC? Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/library/massive-open-online-course-mooc Erlichson, A. (2013). Costs of teaching online classes. Retrieved from http://ed-blog.mongodb.com/post/41073812219/costs-of-teaching-online-classes IBM Corporation. (2009). Wordfence Security plugin for WordPress index.php cross-site scripting. Retrieved from http://xforce.iss.net/xforce/xfdb/79525 Pope, J. (2013). What it's like to take a MOOC. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/05/what-its-like-mooc_n_3707274.html Rees, J. (2013). The MOOC racket. Retrieved from http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2013/07/moocs_could_be_disastrous_for_students_and_professors.html Stanford Graduate School of Education. (2013). Hack education weekly news: a MOOC master's degree. Retrieved from http://edf.stanford.edu/readings/hack-education-weekly-news-mooc-masters-degree Taylor, R. (2013). Google unveils major upgrade to search algorithm. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24292897 Weiss, A. S. (2013). Teaching a journalism MOOC: 5 Tips and techniques. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/10/teaching-a-journalism-mooc-5-tips-and-techniques/ Zhu, A. (2012). Massive Open Online Courses -- A threat or opportunity to universities? Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2012/09/06/massive-open-online-course-a-threat-or-opportunity-to-universities/ Read More