MOOC platforms do democratize learning
A Duke University survey last month showed that it&rsquo;s MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) platform does indeed democratise learning and provide a new facility for traditionally underserved students. Duke researchers said that much of the reporting about MOOCs has previously focused on the interests of highly educated, white, upper-middle-class users. Their study, however, focused on 9,000 students who were traditionally left without access to higher education, and showed the value of MOOC platforms to these users.
Dive Brief:

A survey from Duke University about massive open online courses it offered through Coursera last fall shows that the MOOC platform does democratize learning.

The survey found the courses to be popular among K-12 students, retirees, and those who otherwise did not have access to post-secondary coursework.

Researchers said that one of the most salient findings was that the MOOCs were often used as supplements to other traditional coursework through K-12 or higher education.

Dive Insight:

Massive open online courses were always aimed at democratizing learning. The idea was to get high-quality content to anyone with a computer and an Internet connection, for free. As MOOCs have taken hold in higher education, they have begun to be offered for credit and have become significantly more sophisticated. Duke researchers said that much of the reporting about MOOCs has focused on the interests of highly educated, white, upper-middle-class users. Their study, on the other hand, focused on 9,000 students who were younger than 18, older than 65, or in the middle but left without access to traditional higher education.