The Evolution of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and its Variants
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MOOCs are now sustained with various formats both in Design and Implementation. Which formats to be used depends upon the both instructors as well as learners. Who is instructing and who is getting instructed? And yes, the purpose of it. Is it for academic purposes or training.
The Evolution of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and its Variants
- 1. 1 The Evolution of MOOCs and its Variants By Surbhi Sharma 1. Introduction to MOOCs Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) represent a transformative model in digital education, providing open access to quality learning materials for a vast number of participants across the globe. Typically delivered through the internet, MOOCs have democratized knowledge by removing traditional entry barriers such as tuition, geographic location, and academic prerequisites. Definition: A MOOC is a free or low-cost online course designed for large-scale participation, often structured with video lectures, quizzes, discussion forums, and peer-reviewed assignments. 2. Historical Background and Connectivism The concept of MOOCs was born from the connectivist learning theory proposed by George Siemens (2005) and later expanded with Stephen Downes. Connectivism suggests that knowledge exists within networks and learning is the ability to navigate and grow these networks. In 2008, the first true MOOC titled "Connectivism and Connective Knowledge" (CCK08) was offered by Siemens and Downes. The course emphasized collaborative, distributed learning—characteristics central to what are now known as cMOOCs. ❖ Dave Cormier coined the term “MOOC” in 2008 to describe this new phenomenon of open, participatory education at scale. 3. Typologies: cMOOCs vs xMOOCs ● cMOOCs (Connectivist MOOCs): Focus on knowledge creation through learner/peer interaction, decentralization, and autonomy. ● xMOOCs (Extension MOOCs): Represent a more traditional instructivist approach with structured video lectures, assessments, and centralized instruction (e.g., Coursera, edX). 4. Evolution of MOOC Variants As MOOCs matured, various adaptations emerged to address specific institutional, corporate, and learner needs. Below is a structured explanation of the prominent variants: The Evolution of MOOCs and its Variants © 2025 by Surbhi Sharma is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
- 2. 2 Table 1: MOOC Variants – Orientation and Purpose Variant Full Form Orientation Purpose cMOOC or xMOOC Description BOOC Big Open Online Course Academic Education Mostly cMOOC Offers in-depth, often research-based content for smaller audiences. DOOC Distributed Open Online Course Academic Education cMOOC Hosted across multiple platforms, encouraging distributed learning communities. SPOC Small Private Online Course Academic Education xMOOC Limited-enrollment version of MOOCs for targeted learning; used in blended classrooms. COOC Corporate Online Open Course Industry Training xMOOC Designed specifically for workforce development and corporate learning needs. SOOC Small Online Open Course Academic/ Professional Both Hybrid (c+x) Focused on smaller audiences, open but structured like MOOCs with limited scale. MOOR Massive Open Online Research Academic/ Research Education + Collaboration cMOOC Combines MOOCs with research practices, fostering collaborative inquiry. The Evolution of MOOCs and its Variants © 2025 by Surbhi Sharma is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
- 3. 3 LOOC Little Open Online Course Academic Education Mostly cMOOC Small-scale, learner-centered and interactive, encouraging depth over scale. 5. Flowchart: Classification of MOOCs by Purpose and Orientation 6. Brief Overview of MOOC Variants BOOC – Big Open Online Course ● Smaller than traditional MOOCs but still open. ● Emphasizes deeper interaction and feedback. ● Often used by universities experimenting with hybrid learning. ● Example: University of Chicago's BOOC platform. ● Leaning toward: cMOOC DOOC – Distributed Open Online Course ● Courses taught by multiple instructors across institutions. ● Encourages decentralized participation and co-creation. The Evolution of MOOCs and its Variants © 2025 by Surbhi Sharma is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
- 4. 4 ● Example: FemTechNet DOOC (2013). ● Leaning toward: cMOOC SPOC – Small Private Online Course ● Limited enrollment; used as a flipped classroom tool. ● Often includes real-time instructor engagement. ● Used by: Harvard, MIT for blended learning. ● Leaning toward: xMOOC COOC – Corporate Online Open Course ● Designed for organizational learning and training. ● Combines MOOC infrastructure with internal corporate goals. ● Example: Google or IBM training via open platforms. ● Leaning toward: xMOOC SOOC – Small Online Open Course ● Smaller and more intimate than MOOCs, still open. ● Targets professionals with focused themes. ● Bridges education and training. ● Example: Niche professional development courses. ● Hybrid: cMOOC + xMOOC elements MOOR – Massive Open Online Research ● A platform for conducting research collaboratively and at scale. ● Integrates MOOCs with citizen science or crowdsourced data. The Evolution of MOOCs and its Variants © 2025 by Surbhi Sharma is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
- 5. 5 ● Example: Open collaboration on climate change modeling. ● Leaning toward: cMOOC LOOC – Little Open Online Course ● Designed for 10–100 learners; offers intense mentorship. ● Used for honors classes or teacher development. ○ Example: Yale’s LOOC model in digital humanities. ● Leaning toward: cMOOC 7. Educational and Training Implications These MOOC variants serve different segments: ● Higher Education Institutions: Use BOOC, DOOC, MOOR, LOOC for academic rigor and innovation. ● Corporates: Leverage COOC and SPOC for employee upskilling. ● EdTech platforms: Combine variants like SOOC to meet hybrid demands. 8. Integration into Educational Frameworks MOOCs and their variants, especially SPOCs and COOCs, are now part of institutional strategies: ● Blended Learning: Combining SPOC with in-person classes. ● Lifelong Learning: COOC and SOOC cater to adult learners. ● Inclusive Pedagogy: cMOOCs promote diversity, peer interaction, and global perspectives. 9. Conclusion The evolution of MOOCs reflects the dynamic interplay between pedagogy, technology, and learner needs. From their connectivist origins to structured corporate courses, MOOCs continue to reshape how knowledge is accessed and applied. Understanding the spectrum—from cMOOCs fostering collaboration to xMOOCs focusing on scalability—is vital for educators, researchers, and policymakers designing future-ready learning systems. References The Evolution of MOOCs and its Variants © 2025 by Surbhi Sharma is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
- 6. 6 1. Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. Retrieved from: https://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm 2. Cormier, D. (2008). The CCK08 MOOC – Connectivism and Connective Knowledge. 3. Downes, S. (2012). What a MOOC does. Half an Hour Blog. 4. Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2016). Higher education and the digital revolution: About MOOCs, SPOCs, LOOCs and DOCCs. Business Horizons, 59(4), 441–450. 5. Sharples, M., et al. (2013). Innovating Pedagogy 2013: Open University Innovation Report. 6. SPOC, MOOC, SOOC, COOC: What Are the Differences? (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://share.google/AOVpyw9wF2efbu1SP 7. Daniel, J. (2012). Making Sense of MOOCs: Musings in a Maze of Myth, Paradox and Possibility. Journal of Interactive Media in Education. 8. Class Central (2022). SPOC, MOOC, SOOC, COOC: What Are the Differences? Retrieved from https://share.google/AOVpyw9wF2efbu1SP 9. ChatGPT. (2025). Chatgpt.com. https://chatgpt.com/c/688c700d-7778-800d-af05-192c411fe24a **** The Evolution of MOOCs and its Variants © 2025 by Surbhi Sharma is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/