MOOCs: The End of the World, or a Sustainable Means for Global Learning and Education?

Abstract

A recent phenomenon in tertiary education is the proliferation of Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs). While universities must constantly evolve to meet student needs, these courses have raised many questions regarding the future of university education as well as the meaning of a university degree. As student enrollment in MOOCs increases, universities are facing important decisions regarding MOOCS, including whether MOOCs should be allowed to be claimed by students as meeting a university’s graduation requirements. The key issue appears to be for a university to decide what constitutes a degree from it, and whether a student can claim to have earned a degree from it if many courses were taken elsewhere as MOOCs. This paper discusses and provides insights into several key issues surrounding MOOCs, including sustainability and the eco-friendly delivery aspects of MOOCs.