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A Decade of MOOCs: A Review of Stats and Trends for Large-Scale Online Courses in 2021

Edsurge

In 2021, two of the biggest MOOC providers had an “exit” event. Ten years ago, more than 300,000 learners were taking the three free Stanford courses that kicked off the modern MOOC movement. I was one of those learners and launched Class Central as a side-project to keep track of these MOOCs.

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The Second Year of The MOOC: 2020 Saw a Rush to Large-Scale Online Courses

Edsurge

This was the year that more people learned what a MOOC is. As millions suddenly found themselves with free time on their hands during the pandemic, many turned to online courses—especially, to free courses known as MOOCs, or Massive Open Online Courses. The last 48 hours have been crazy.

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Harvard and MIT Launch Nonprofit to Increase College Access

Edsurge

The deal was contentious because edX had long touted its nonprofit status and independence from capitalist pressures as it convinced more than 150 colleges — many of them highly selective ones — to join in as partners to offer free and low-cost courses online. In fact, a New York Times piece declared 2012 “ the year of the MOOC.”

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Much Ado About MOOCs: Where Are We in the Evolution of Online Courses?

Edsurge

A lot has changed since 2012 or, the year the New York Times dubbed the "Year of the MOOC." The premise back then was that classes would make high-quality online education accessible for all—and for free. Today, many MOOC providers now charge a fee. They’ve rolled out bundles of courses called ‘Specializations’ or ‘Nanodegrees.’

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In China, Online Degrees on Hold, Even as MOOCs Rise

Edsurge

In fact, the country has no institution that is approved to deliver online degrees, even though it has moved rapidly to embrace MOOCs, free or low-cost online courses offered to millions throughout the country. advances in online pedagogy, such as flipped classrooms and MOOCs. MOOCs have proven wildly popular in China.

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What If Free Online Courses Weren’t Inside 'Walled Gardens'?

Edsurge

Large-scale online courses called MOOCs can get millions of registered users over time. The problem, he argues, is that providers of MOOCs, including Coursera and edX, require registration to get to the materials. Lots of sites require you to log in to gain access to content, right?

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The Future of MOOCs Must Be Decolonized

Edsurge

The heyday for massive open online courses was studded with hype. So much so, the New York Times even dubbed 2012 the “ Year of the MOOC.” Advocates for the courses would point a finger at the unaffordability of traditional education, promising that MOOCs could offer cheaper, more innovative alternatives.

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