A Reflection on Disruption in Higher Education: Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) Diane J. Skiba, Editor

Diane J. Skiba (2012) Disruption in Higher Education: Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Nursing Education Perspectives: November 2012, Vol. 33, No. 6, pp. 416-417.

Skiba presents ashort snippet into the world of MOOC (Massively Open Online Courses) and is rather positive about the entire experience. At the encouragement of her institution's rather open minded approach to online learning Skiba took a MOOC and wrote of her experience in the online version of Nursing Education Perspectives. Much pf the praise level on MOOCs by Skiba stems from a rather reduced cost, and unorthodox approach of taking a class as a "lurker." On these grounds, and several others, I have to agree with Skiba's article. 

In 2010, I took a MOOC on the television and its effect on American politics.  At the time my nightly ritual included both The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, and I was teaching government to 8th graders. It seemed like a natural fit.  Not wanting to pay graduate level prices for a class that would really only help me on one or two lessons in my class, I turned to MOOCs. In the end, the class was far more beneficial and I would have gladly paid for the class, and there in lines the ultimate of the MOOC system. Users are able to utilize information online from colleges and universities that will eventually (certainly not immediately) be reciprocated on the institution providing the class.  Granted I was in a unique position that I used that information to better educations that might one day attended that college, similar possibilities are available for those outside the education field.  Perhaps a manager at the local industry takes a class on management and is able to earn a promotion.  That promotion might allow that manager to afford a college education for their child at the very educational institution they took the MOOC. Sure the college and universities pay for the upfront costs of the MOOC system, but they will reap profits on the back end of the transaction.  

Perhaps the most conducive benefit of the MOOC system is flexibility of the classes.  Where online learning as a whole is far more accessible for with working population, MOOCS are at the very forefront of the availability scale.   Students are able take the classes for credit or as Skiba put it a “lurker.” This “lurker” is able to read class discussions, following in lectures and complete readings without worry of deadlines or grades.  As a lurker you are able to take the class without the time restrictions of a full fledge college class.  Many nights I completed classwork as I went through my night routine and thought nothing of watching a segment of The Colbert Report instead of buckling down to read.  If I missed a class meeting, I did not worry. The entire class stopped and started by my clock.  No rushing home from a hard day’s work to load up the computer and take part in class.  Ultimately, the freedom increased my interest in the class, and the quality of the work that I produced. 

Finally, MOOCS offer something intangible. They provide an opportunity for those with a simple internet connection to continue their education beyond their highest level of formal education.  Throughout the past, at least in American history, people were often educated well above their formal education (do often to economic circumstances, or lacking schools). This idea went away for many years, thanks impart to improved economic conditions and schools, but now with the MOOC systems becoming more popular, this phenomenon is more frequently but on a much high level.  Were the average American will attend some education after high school, they will no able about to reach even beyond the college classroom, and in fields a that are directly related to their career paths.  This can only benefit the individual person taking the class and the country as a whole.  

In the end, MOOCS will have a far reaching effect on the American educational system. Students will benefit from the cheap costs, flexibility of schedule and increased knowledge within their field.  Skiba is spot on in her assessment of the MOOC system as a disruption to the college system, but one that will ultimately be marked as a benefit.