Abstract
Higher education needs to respond to ever changing demands and expectations of present and future potential students. In order to amplify access to educational materials for students who endeavor to learn, various methodologies are used with the help of technology. Education is redefined and democratized by enabling anyone to learn from the world’s experts by a click of a mouse. Higher education institutions are venturing to gain better understanding of the phenomenon of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and its paradigm shift towards open global education. This study endeavors to study how MOOCs can be seamlessly integrated into the present scenario of traditional and learning environment. The commercialization with marketing of MOOCs in KSA’s higher education sector is also discussed. Finally, this study recommends adaptive home grown organic introduction of blended learning with the MOOC platform. With the advent of internet technology, students are now able to access diversified and latest courses which are participatory, collaborative with digital skills, well distributed, engaging and self-paced. This concept enables them to attain lifelong learning and brings scalability at a virtual zero cost to the students. The overall impact of technology on the learning management system will be explored. An attempt is made to introduce and accelerate learning and teaching strategies and tools to enhance student employability with their present usage of technology. The objective of the study is to comprehend the readiness level of learners by incorporating open learning platform, build an innovation model, which involves stakeholders with a holistic perspective that will enable a congenial learning management system, how the deanship of information technology and distance learning change course from a support-based deanship to a strategic-based deanship.
Highlights
The relevance of the study is how Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) will change the mind set of learner, the way they learn and live? More importantly, how MOOC can be integrated into the traditional education system without any disruption and disturbance?
Around two third of the students surveyed are aware of the MOOCS but the enrollment rate is relatively poor
It may be too early to elicit that MOOC may be fundamental game changer for tradition providers of higher education and how those institutions might adapt whether in providing MOOC or not
Summary
As per the United Nations Development Program, “Reaching the target of inclusiveness and improving the quality of education assures with conviction that education is one of the most powerful weapons and a proven vehicle for sustainable development”. The fulfillment of this goal largely depends on providing access to education at all levels and increasing enrolment rates in schools, for women and girls. Gender difference needs to be addressed effectively. An effective and feasible solution for this approach is offering online courses on a mass basis thanks to the advancements in information technology. The relevance of the study is how MOOC will change the mind set of learner, the way they learn and live? More importantly, how MOOC can be integrated into the traditional education system without any disruption and disturbance?
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