MOOCs and Me

A wonderful addition to the great entanglement that is the World Wide Web is the MOOC (either Massive or Massively Open Online Course, depending on the interpretation of the writer). MOOCs have become common enough that they are attracting detractors.

I can only say that, for me, they are totally marvellous and those who bemoan their advent are totally missing the point. After all, as with many new inventions, MOOCs may have unintended consequences, although I hope that at least some of the early promoters realized the potential within these classes to unite and connect people around the world.

While the primary intention is to assist with education, MOOCs provide a chance to communicate and virtually interact with professors, teaching assistants, and, most importantly, learners around the world. Students have many reasons for studying in this way, but I see it as an opportunity to learn in fields that I would never have had the time or money to include in my classes when I was getting a degree. Whether I do all the classwork, watch all the videos, or just audit the classes and download for future viewing, in my old age this is a much better use of my time than watching daytime TV, playing online games, or any other time-wasters. I love every moment of it.