MOOCs

 MOOC: Introduction and its definition

Massive open online course is a type of online course designed to provide large scale free excess to educational content for learners worldwide . 

These courses typically feature video lectures, reading materials ,discussion forums and assessment which can be assessed by anyone with an internet connection. 

MOOCs aim to democratize education by offering high quality learning resources to wide audience.

Example for MOOCs are coursera,edx,udacity, futurelearn etc

Characteristics...

1. Massive enrollment:

Designed to accomodate a large number of participants, ranging from thousands to hundreds of learners. 

2. Open access:

Anyone with an internet connection can enrol in MOOC

3. Flexible learning:

Learners can often study at their own place accessing materials anytime and anywhere

4. Online delivery:

All materials including video lectures, readings etc are provided through digital platforms. 

5. Interactive platforms:

Offers interactive elements such as peer-reviewed assignments, discussions, etc to enhance learning process.

6.Diverse content:

It offers wide range of subjects, often taught by experts. 

7. Certificates of completion:

They provide certificate or badges upon completion which may be free or available for a fee that is useful in future for career advancement

8. Collaborative learning:

MOOCs allow students from around the world to collaborate and learn from each other

9. Scalability:

MOOC s are designed to scale , meaning they can support an unlimited number of learners without compromizing the quality of learning experience.

MERITS

 1.It is accessible to anyone with an internet connection

2. Many MOOCs are cost effective, providing good quality education

 3. it is Flexible.

4. Offering wide variety of subjects.

5. MOOCs offer opportunities to develop new

    skills. 

Demerits 

1.MOOCs may lack personalised attention     from instructions, which is necessary for students who requires direct guidance.

2. Low course completion rate

3.  Not always all certificates which they are offering is recognised

4. Limited practical experiences

5. Lack of motivation results from the self paced, unstructured , nature of MOOCs

Conclusion

1. MOOCs have revolutionized education by making learning more accessible, flexible and affordable on a global scale. 

2. They provide diverse opportunities for skill development and personal growth often guided by experts from reknowned institutions. 

3. However they also come from challenges such as low competition rates, Limited personal interaction and issues with accreditation. 

4. For those seeking specialized knowlegde, MOOC is an additional suppliment to traditional education.