The main characteristics of the MOOC can be categorized in the following manner: – informal setting learning via Internet for free or low fees – all materials presented can be shared by everyone, whenever needed – variety of assignments to be chosen from all professional disciplines – no enrollment needed, self-discipline is a key to successful learning – no language barriers considering the online translation tools – development of digital skills and networking. MOOCs are present at edX, the nonprofit start-up from Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that recorded 370,000 students its first official courses this fall.
Coursera has reached more than 1.7 million and is less than 2 years in use MOOCs have been online for a few years as collaborative technical learning events, but this is the year when everyone wants in. Top universities are partnering with Coursera at a furious pace. It now offers courses from 33 of the biggest names in post-secondary education, including Princeton, Brown, Columbia and Duke. Google unleashed a MOOC-building online tool, and Stanford unveiled Class2Go with two courses.
Traditional online courses can charge tuition, carry credit and limit enrollment to a few dozen to ensure interaction with instructors, whereas MOOCs are generally free, credit-less, solid and massive. Anyone with an Internet connection can enroll and the faculty can’t possibly respond to students’ individually. Classmates may count on one another in study groups organized in their towns, in online forums or for grading work.
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