Lifelete Fundamentals
May 13, 2015
It may sound too good to be true: college classes from some of the most prestigious institutions in the world open to anyone with computer and internet access all for free. Yes, you read that correctly, FREE. Massive Open Online Courses most commonly known as MOOCs are exactly just that and are growing in popularity. But are MOOCs good learning platforms for everyone?
The Basics:
- Anyone can enroll in a MOOC (all you need is access to a computer and the internet)
- MOOCs are free unless you want to receive a certificate of verification upon completion (those certificates of completion range in price but hover under $100 dollars)
- MOOCs can not be transferred to universities for college credit (while a handful of MOOCs are certified as college credit worthy, there is not much information on schools accepting them or students who have successfully used them for credit)
The Benefits:
- MOOCs are a great way to learn new information in a variety of academic disciplines. Reports suggest most students enrolled in MOOCs already have college degrees and consider themselves life-long learners.
- Some jobs or associations may grant continuing education units for the completion of MOOCs (Ask you employer or certifying agency to see if MOOCs can be used to meet your CEU requirements)
- MOOCs can be a great way to test the waters of online learning without having to pay tuition or fees for a traditional online class
Are MOOCs a good option for me?
- If you are looking for a free way to get college credit for an undergraduate degree then MOOCs are probably NOT your answer
- If you are looking to take classes to enhance your knowledge, improve skills, learn about new topics then MOOCs ARE probably a great educational avenue for you
- If you are looking to test out online learning before enrolling in a traditional for-credit online course, MOOCs are a great option
If you are interested in enrolling in a MOOC you can find hundreds of courses open for enrollment through one of the following MOOC provider portals:
