The impact and reach of MOOCs: A developing countries’ perspective

Resource type
Journal Article
Authors/contributors
Title
The impact and reach of MOOCs: A developing countries’ perspective
Abstract
Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are a recent but hugely popular phenomenon in the online learning world. They are hailed by many as a solution for the developing world’s lack of access to education because MOOCs can provide learning opportunities to a massive number of learners from anywhere in the world as long as they can access the course through Internet. However, a close consideration of the ability of learn- ers from most developing countries to make use of MOOCs seems to contradict this rhetoric. This paper discusses features of MOOCs and looks at them from a developing countries’ perspective to conclude that due to a complicated set of conditions (‘access’, language, computer literacy among others) prevailing in developing countries, MOOCs may not be a viable solution for education for a large proportion of people in these ar- eas of the world. The paper further shows the need for more data on the demograph- ics of MOOC participants from developing countries to form a better understanding of MOOCs role in educating people from developing countries.
Publication
eLearning Papers
Volume
33
Pages
38-46
Date
2013
Series Title
eLearning Papers
Language
en
ISSN
1887-1542
Short Title
The impact and reach of MOOCs
Library Catalogue
Zotero
Citation
Liyanagunawardena, T., Williams, S., & Adams, A. (2013). The impact and reach of MOOCs: A developing countries’ perspective. ELearning Papers, 33, 38–46. http://centaur.reading.ac.uk/32452/1/In-depth_33_1.pdf