MOOCs

The Snapshot Version

By Sasha Thackaberry
What are MOOCs? MOOCs are Massive Open Online Courses. They are free online courses that can enroll tens, or even hundreds of
thousands of learners. Their formats and pedagogies are constantly evolving. There is no one size fits all MOOC. The salient
components are 1) free (though there may be a charge for certificates, micro-credentialing, or proctoring), 2) large enrollment numbers
and/or potential enrollment numbers, 3) online (though blended models are being developed with institutions), and 4) courses, not just
resources.
Types of MOOCs
Name
xMOOC

cMOOC

What It Is
Traditional MOOC
This type of MOOC closely resembles a regular online
course. It is typically driven by instructor-led lectures, autograded quizzes and/or peer assessments.
Connectivist MOOC
This type of MOOC is a networked MOOC, typified by the
exchange of knowledge from one participant to another. This
type of MOOC is more often distributed across a variety of
networks, though it may be housed mainly in one Learning
Management System (LMS).

For More Info

http://massiveopenonlinecourses.com/xmooc-vscmooc/
http://www.educause.edu/blogs/mcaulfield/xmooccommunities-should-learn-cmoocs
http://www.educause.edu/library/massive-openonline-course-mooc
http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7things-you-should-know-about-moocs-ii
https://www.diigo.com/list/sashatberr/MOOCs

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MOOCs the Snapshot Version by Sasha Thackaberry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
International License.

MOOC Providers
Company
edX

Udacity

Coursera

Futurelearn

Founders
Mission
Founded by MIT and Harvard
EdX was created for students and
University. Led by Anant
institutions that seek to transform themselves
Agarwal former director of
through cutting-edge technologies,
MITs Computer Science and
innovative pedagogy, and rigorous courses
Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.
(from https://www.edx.org/about-us).
Sebastian Thrun, CEO and co Their mission is to bring accessible,
founder, also Research Professor
affordable, engaging, and highly effective
at Stanford University, David
higher education to the world.
Stavens, a robotics professor at
Initially focused purely on academics in
Stanford University, and Mike
higher education, now focused on workforce
Sokolsky, also in robotics at
training,
Stanford University.
Initiated concept of nanodegrees, primarily
with the development of technology skill
competencies.
Daphne Koller, CEO, also
Access to world-class education for all.
professor at Stanford University,
Pedagogy is primarily mastery-based
and Andrew Ng (of Stanford
learning with peer-feedback loops and autoArtificial Intelligence Lab). Dr.
graded, randomized assessments.
Vivek Goel is the Chief
Academic Strategist.
Simon Nelson (CEO), previously
First British MOOC platform (and first nonof BBC.
US MOOC platform).
Private company owned by The Open
University with partners in Europe, Africa,
Asia and the Middle East as well as
professional organizations.
Bite sized steps throughout the content.

Further Info
https://www.edx.org/

https://www.udacity.co
m/
https://www.udacity.co
m/nanodegrees

https://www.coursera.or
g/about/
https://www.coursera.or
g/
https://www.futurelearn.
com/
Open Content
Repository from Open
University:
http://www.open.edu/op
enlearn/
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MOOCs the Snapshot Version by Sasha Thackaberry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
International License.

Udemy

Eren Bali built the company

along with Gagan Biyani and
Oktay Caglar and launched in
2010.

Udemy has 4,000,000 students with courses

taught in 53 languages.
Many of its courses have costs associated
with them. While the platform is massive,
the courses are not all open.
It facilitates any instructor being able to
monetize their knowledge.

https://www.udemy.co
m/about/#aboutContent

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MOOCs the Snapshot Version by Sasha Thackaberry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
International License.