MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) have recently become popular, especially in the field of computer science. I myself have completed an ML course online before going back to school to do my PhD. However, opinions on MOOCs vary widely from zealous supporters to staunching opponents.

Reading this article, the chasm becomes more pronounced in its extension into the academic world. More specifically, it is the top institutions that are pushing for MOOCs, while smaller less famous ones have not yet invested in this disruptive technology. This is either for lack of enthusiasm or lack of resources. However, these less known institutions are starting to perceive the danger of staying out the emerging market.

According to researchers, there are two “strands” of opinions in the literature regarding the subject matter: The enthusiasts, and the skeptics.

The enthusiast’s stance is often favored by the press and public opinion. It argues that MOOCs have an innovative format, and are more accessible to a wider community base. On the other hand, the skeptics warn about MOOCs’ contents’ lack of quality, as well as their lack of interactivity and engagement. Nonetheless, even those who cheer for MOOCs are still aware that it is possibly overhyped. Still, after having gone through a period of experimentation, MOOCs are already on their way to maturation.

From an economic point of view, it is also important to recognize the threat MOOCs present to the higher education business model, especially in regards to international education. overseas learners tend to contribute a large sum of money to universities in the western world. Losing such learners to MOOCs is a financial challenge to the traditional model.

Accreditation is also another issue. MOOCs are usually characterized by the lack of academic guidance. However, a new accredited examination trend is now emerging. Some school are considering a new business model based on MOOCs that has low cost and high revenue compared to traditional education.

Another problem in MOOCS is the diminishing commitment enrollers show towards the end of the course. Only a small fraction of learners to apply to a course actually finish it and obtain the certificate.

In summary, MOOCs have their pros and cons, and it remains to be seen how they will evolve to resolve their shortcomings. To add my own experience, I think MOOCs are a useful tool for those who want to learn but do not have the time to enroll in a traditional school, or are only interested in specific and targeted subjects without the need or the desire to complete an entire degree. However, I acknowledge that they are far from replacing traditional degrees as they still lack the professional support and the motivation for commitment.