(GSE; EURASIAN HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERS’ FORUM 2016, 2016) Zhussupbekov, Abay
This paper discusses MOOCs as a trend in higher education 1. It starts with a brief discussion
of the history and role of MOOCs in changing the future of education. It then focuses on
implications of online open courses on the traditional system of education in higher
educational settings. The paper highlights a high student dropout rate on MOOCs, MOOCs’
impact on new instructional practice and their role in student’s independent learning with the
tutor’s little guidance. The paper concludes with providing a critical analysis of the question if
MOOCs could supersede traditional classrooms of higher education institutions.