scholarly journals The Adoption of Massive Open Online Courses in Selected Sub-Saharan African Countries: The Experiences of Urban Learners

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vollan Ochieng’ ◽  
Maurice Mutisya ◽  
Caroline Thiong’o
Keyword(s):  
Online Courses ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Massive Open Online ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Universal Education ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Sub Saharan

MOOCs is slowly gaining traction in the education provisioning in SSA. Much of this is attributed to governmental and institutional aim of providing quality and affordable universal education to all learners. This chapter explores how MOOCs is affecting access to learning in SSA, with particular bias to urban education context. Evidence adduced in this chapter was adduced from secondary sources, involving review of relevant literature available from internet sources. In the internet sources visited, key search terms that were used in obtaining the relevant resources included but not limited to: ‘MOOCs and education’, ‘MOOCs in Africa’, ‘Education technologies AND MOOCs in Africa’, ‘MOOCs, OERs adoption and adaptability in Africa’, and ‘MOOCs’ challenges in Africa’ among others. It emerged that while MOOCs is gaining the needed traction in the SSA education space, the pace of its development is slow and calls for a more concerted effort from concerned education stakeholders.

scholarly journals Massive Open Online Courses as an Augmentation of E-Learning: A Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Mohamed Ali Mahmod ◽  
Asma Md. Ali ◽  
Asadullah Shah
Keyword(s):  
Online Courses ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Learning Theories ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Massive Open Online ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
E Learning

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are considered as important trends in electroniclearning (e-learning) in higher education. Many universities offered MOOCs to any learners who preferlearning via the internet and benefiting from the offered courses online. Massive Open Online Courses areopen learning to anyone to enrol and study and many offered courses are free which do not require payingfees. MOOCs are delivered as video-based content via the internet offered by educational institutions anduniversities to many international learners. There is a lack of previous studies and scientific papers thatinvestigates the global role of MOOCs in e-learning. MOOCs has emerged due to learning theories relatedto learners whether individuals or networks of learners. Therefore, this paper reviews Massive Open OnlineCourses characteristics, it spread around the world, its practical implementation in e-learning LearningManagement Systems (LMS) and its theoretical contributing roles to enhance e-learning through its rolesin promoting e-learning theories.

An Overview of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), Pedagogies, and Distance Education

2019 ◽  
pp. 56-68
Author(s):  
Mohd Faiz Mohd Yaakob ◽  
Mohd Muslim Md Zalli
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Effective Teaching ◽  
Teaching Strategies ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Massive Open Online ◽  
Effective Teaching Strategies ◽  
Education Theory ◽  
Educational Modules

This chapter discussed an overview of massive open online courses (MOOC) pedagogies and distance education in Malaysia. Meanwhile, topics such as MOOC in Malaysia, distance education, theory, and concept and other sub-topics are discussed. Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are the instructed course with the various number of students using the internet. Indeed, MOOCs are not a new tool to educational modules outline and strategy. At the end of this chapter, effective teaching strategies are proposed.

scholarly journals iBiology: communicating the process of science

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (15) ◽  
pp. 2217-2219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah S. Goodwin
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Scientific Discovery ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Massive Open Online ◽  
Internet Connection ◽  
Biology Research ◽  
Ted Talks

The Internet hosts an abundance of science video resources aimed at communicating scientific knowledge, including webinars, massive open online courses, and TED talks. Although these videos are efficient at disseminating information for diverse types of users, they often do not demonstrate the process of doing science, the excitement of scientific discovery, or how new scientific knowledge is developed. iBiology ( www.ibiology.org ), a project that creates open-access science videos about biology research and science-related topics, seeks to fill this need by producing videos by science leaders that make their ideas, stories, and experiences available to anyone with an Internet connection.

The Internet and SMEs in Sub-Saharan African Countries

2011 ◽  
pp. 2183-2188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Princely Ifinedo
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Global Network ◽  
The Internet ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Internet Protocols ◽  
The World ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Sub Saharan

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers using multiple Internet protocols (IP). Increasingly, it is being used to enhance business operation by both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large organizations around the world (Bunker and MacGregor, 2002; Turban, Lee, King, & Chung, Lee, J., King, D. & Chung 2004). One reason is that the Internet, when used to facilitate e-commerce and e-business, offers several benefits for the adopting organizations (Walczuch, den Braven, & Lundgren, 2000; Turban, et al, 2004). Such benefits include the following: 1) reducing distance barrier, 2) the development of new products and services, 3) opening direct links between customer and suppliers, and 4) enhancing communication efficiency. Our study of the relevant literature reveals that the diffusion of the Internet among businesses in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), including SMEs, is the lowest in the world at around 2% (ITU, 2005). A recent report shows that the whole of Africa has only 1% of the total international Internet bandwidth (UNCTAD, 2005). Thus, it is to be expected that businesses in the region with such poor connectivity and use will be unable to fully reap the benefits of the technology. Against such unfavorable situations, it would seem reasonable for research efforts to uncover why such unfavorable conditions prevail in the region. Sadly, very few studies exist that have investigated such issues. Little is known about the perceptions of the Internet or the factors inhibiting its spread among SMEs in SSA. To fill this gap in research, this article aims at adding to knowledge by presenting a summary of the findings of a preliminary study designed to investigate the perceptions of the Internet and the sorts of barriers facing SMEs in SSA desiring to adopt Internet in their operations or for commerce. The study used SMEs in Nigeria, a Sub-Saharan African country. The country was chosen for illustration proposes as it is the most populous country in Africa and has favorable indicators for the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) compared to other SSA countries (Ifinedo, 2005). Importantly, researchers, for example, Ojukwu (2006) have discussed use of ICT among Nigerian SMEs and it is hoped that this present effort will complement similar research efforts.

The Internet and SMEs in Sub-Saharan African Countries

2011 ◽  
pp. 1170-1177
Author(s):  
Princely Ifinedo
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Global Network ◽  
The Internet ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Internet Protocols ◽  
The World ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Sub Saharan

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers using multiple Internet protocols (IP). Increasingly, it is being used to enhance business operation by both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large organizations around the world (Bunker and MacGregor, 2002; Turban, Lee, King, & Chung, Lee, J., King, D. & Chung 2004). One reason is that the Internet, when used to facilitate e-commerce and e-business, offers several benefits for the adopting organizations (Walczuch, den Braven, & Lundgren, 2000; Turban, et al, 2004). Such benefits include the following: 1) reducing distance barrier, 2) the development of new products and services, 3) opening direct links between customer and suppliers, and 4) enhancing communication efficiency. Our study of the relevant literature reveals that the diffusion of the Internet among businesses in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), including SMEs, is the lowest in the world at around 2% (ITU, 2005). A recent report shows that the whole of Africa has only 1% of the total international Internet bandwidth (UNCTAD, 2005). Thus, it is to be expected that businesses in the region with such poor connectivity and use will be unable to fully reap the benefits of the technology. Against such unfavorable situations, it would seem reasonable for research efforts to uncover why such unfavorable conditions prevail in the region. Sadly, very few studies exist that have investigated such issues. Little is known about the perceptions of the Internet or the factors inhibiting its spread among SMEs in SSA. To fill this gap in research, this article aims at adding to knowledge by presenting a summary of the findings of a preliminary study designed to investigate the perceptions of the Internet and the sorts of barriers facing SMEs in SSA desiring to adopt Internet in their operations or for commerce. The study used SMEs in Nigeria, a Sub-Saharan African country. The country was chosen for illustration proposes as it is the most populous country in Africa and has favorable indicators for the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) compared to other SSA countries (Ifinedo, 2005). Importantly, researchers, for example, Ojukwu (2006) have discussed use of ICT among Nigerian SMEs and it is hoped that this present effort will complement similar research efforts.

Massive Open Online Courses : Hype and Hope

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumeer Gul ◽  
Iram Mahajan ◽  
Huma Shafiq ◽  
Muzamil Shafi ◽  
Tariq Ahmad Shah
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Educational System ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Online Learning Environment ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Massive Open Online ◽  
Universal Education ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Mass Level

<p>The study identifies various issues and challenges faced by massive open online courses (MOOCs) while offering open online courses to vast number of learners. An exhaustive review of literature was taken up to carry out the study. The article reviewed the, issues and challenges faced by MOOCs. MOOC also provides an opportunity to groom the intellectual capacities of people at mass level. The initiative has removed all the barriers of time and space which is much evident in traditional educational system by offering courses at the doorstep of learners. To make universal education dream come true, there is a need to look at apprehensions which researchers have identified in the existing online learning environment. </p>

scholarly journals Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in Sub-Saharan African Higher Education Landscape: A Bibliometric Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullahi Abubakar Yunusa ◽  
Irfan Naufal Umar ◽  
Brandford Bervell
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Massive Open Online ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Internet Connectivity ◽  
African Higher Education ◽  
Bibliometric Review ◽  
Sub Saharan

In this study, we examined articles focused on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) implemented in the sub-Saharan African (SSA) Higher Education context that describes the different models of MOOCs enacted as an initiative to provide access and opportunity to acquire quality higher education across different disciplines within the sub-region. In addition, the review aims to identify those factors that facilitate or inhibit the success and growth of MOOCs in the SSA context to understand how MOOCs has fared between the time 2012 to 2021. Based on this premise, 30 articles were included in the review in accordance with the authors’ set criteria. Results revealed that there are very few collaborations, linkages, and relations between MOOCs researchers in SSA, similarly there is a slow growth of MOOCs production, Narrative, Conceptual and Discourse analysis are the dominant analytical methods, while the perennial challenges of poor internet connectivity, lack of policy framework, poor bandwidth and electricity and lack of personnel with the requisite competences were the major hinderances to MOOCs growth in SSA. The inferences, implications and future directions were discussed.

Education and the Relation to the Outside: A Little Real Reality

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Savat ◽  
Greg Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Massive Open Online ◽  
Transformative Teaching ◽  
Control Society ◽  
Brave New World ◽  
Radical Transformation

One of the more dominant themes around the use of Deleuze and Guattari's work, including in this special issue, is a focus on the radical transformation that educational institutions are undergoing, and which applies to administrator, student and educator alike. This is a transformation that finds its expression through teaching analytics, transformative teaching, massive open online courses (MOOCs) and updateable performance metrics alike. These techniques and practices, as an expression of control society, constitute the new sorts of machines that frame and inhabit our educational institutions. As Deleuze and Guattari's work posits, on some level these are precisely the machines that many people in their day-to-day work as educators, students and administrators assemble and maintain, that is, desire. The meta-model of schizoanalysis is ideally placed to analyse this profound shift that is occurring in society, felt closely in the so-called knowledge sector where a brave new world of continuous education and motivation is instituting itself.

cMOOCs and Global Learning: An Authentic Alternative

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Yeager ◽  
Betty Hurley-Dasgupta ◽  
Catherine A. Bliss
Keyword(s):  
Online Courses ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Research Review ◽  
Press Coverage ◽  
Open Educational Resource ◽  
Educational Resource ◽  
Global Learning ◽  
Massive Open Online ◽  
Definition Of

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) continue to attract press coverage as they change almost daily in their format, number of registrations and potential for credentialing. An enticing aspect of the MOOC is its global reach. In this paper, we will focus on a type of MOOC called a cMOOC, because it is based on the theory of connectivism and fits the definition of an Open Educational Resource (OER) identified for this special edition of JALN. We begin with a definition of the cMOOC and a discussion of the connectivism on which it is based. Definitions and a research review are followed with a description of two MOOCs offered by two of the authors. Research on one of these MOOCs completed by a third author is presented as well. Student comments that demonstrate the intercultural connections are shared. We end with reflections, lessons learned and recommendations.

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