MOOCS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR TRADITIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

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.