MOOCS - Massively Open Online Courses
MOOCS are a new way of learning about a subject that interests you.
· Are easily accessible using the Internet.
· Are open to everyone who wants to learn.
· Are (mostly) free to use.
· Allow you to learn at your own pace.It doesn’t matter if you complete the course in two days or two years. It is up to you how long you take.
· Offer over 5000 courses.
Many organisations and individuals develop MOOCs. These are drawn together and made available by organisations such as Future Learn in the UK: https://www.futurelearn.com/ and at https://www.coursera.org/ -Coursera in the US.
A useful guide to using MOOCs is “The Crowd Sourced Guide to Learning”: https://www.futurelearn. com/learning-guide. One million students successfully completed the MOOC course: “Learning how to Learn” within 15 months: https://www.coursera.org-/learn/ learning-how-to-learn.
Typically, MOOC courses are free to use. Certificates and awards are available but these are charged for. MOOCs are becoming so popular that a number of airlines are offering access on board so that you can learn as you fly. A number of U3As have set up MOOC Groups where students can share their experiences of the new way of learning. Further information is on hand at http://u3asites.org.uk/advice-on-moocs/home - The Third Age Trust page for MOOCs.