MOOCs and Educational Value

Abstract

The term ‘educational value’ may be used to refer to several distinct kinds of value, which fit together in a complex pattern. This chapter reviews the most important kinds of value and then constructs a conception of educational value suitable for assessing the value of MOOCs as educational instruments. The key kinds of value of enduring importance in education are technical value – being good at various intellectual and practical arts, and use value – being good for some end. One subspecies of use value – beneficiality or being good for the good of a being – is of particular importance. Good education conduces to technical goodness that benefits learners. The book then addresses the twin questions: can MOOCs contribute to goodness at intellectual and practical arts, and are MOOCs beneficial – in the broadest sense – for learners?