Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

E-Learning Trends
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Massive Open Online Courses
Massive Open Online Courses, abbreviated as MOOCs, refer to the eLearning programs which provide free and easily accessible online training over the web. They are regarded as massive since they reach a huge number of participants, open since they are easily accessible and free for use by anyone, online since the environment for learning is usually over the Internet and course since they are aimed at providing information to learners about a specific topic or subject (Bowden, 2020). MOOCs were introduced in 2008 to bridge the gap between student and teacher, but it was not until 2012 when they gained widespread popularity and usage. 2012, according to the New York Times, was regarded as the year of the MOOC (Pappano, 2012). Since then, more and more universities and course providers have adopted MOOCs to provide information, and their success can largely be attributed to the existence and growth of the Internet.
There exist two broad classifications of MOOCs, categorized according to differences in teaching strategies (Siemens, 2013). xMOOCs were developed initially by Stanford University and are based on a transmission of information model, the core teaching being through online videos coupled with computer testing and peer assessment. cMOOCs, on the other hand, are largely based on learning from interactions and discussions from other users across the Internet. Since their inception, MOOCs have made learning increasingly easy and have served to deliver high-quality teaching from some of the biggest universities in the world. They have eased access to information for anyone in the world with basic Internet skills and connection and a will to learn. In June 2012, approximately 1.5 million people registered for online courses (Kolowich, 2012), and this number has increased over time.
MOOCs have greatly eased the ability of learners all over the world to ease information and could ultimately replace traditional physical learning and library resources. This is because they are a free source of information to all. However, recent developments have seen some online providers lean into the monetization of MOOCs for their financial gains, which may largely impede the growth of the program in the future.
One-to-One Computing
One-to-one computing in residential schools refers to providing school students with basic access to a personal laptop, computer, tablet computer or another mobile device. This learning method aims to provide students with adequate technical skills and helps teachers to integrate technological-assisted teaching strategies in their classes (Bebell & Kay, 2010).
This type of learning offers a variety of benefits to both students and teachers alike. As every student is equipped with a mobile device, the students can be up to date on new information concerning their studies. Teachers also can incorporate and update new teaching strategies based on developments in the field. Additionally, with the imp...