MOOCs – international information and education phenomenon?

Abstract

EDITOR'S SUMMARY Since the 1990s massive open online courses (MOOCs) have offered web‐based learning on a large scale and with open access. The leading MOOC providers in 2014 – Udemy, Coursera and edX – vary in detail but share the goal of facilitating learning for unlimited audiences at no cost or minimal charge, overcoming socioeconomic hurdles and opening education to all. The potential is strong, and data shows promising registration figures from India and economically developing countries. Yet MOOCs fall short of their goal of widespread and readily accessed education, impeded by technology challenges, lack of basic education and predominance of English as the language of instruction. Maintaining a high standard of educational quality is challenging, and attrition rates are very high. Those in library and information science can facilitate learning through MOOCs and also benefit by using the platform to build awareness of the professional field.