MOOCs: Are they a huge letdown?

[sanantone]

I think MOOCs are great for learning things for fun or learning skills that don't require proof by way of a credential, but I'm disappointed in the business model the biggest MOOC providers have adopted. Coursera and Udacity didn't even try with their ACE courses, and edX only offers three ACE-approved courses with limited sessions. I haven't really seen any evidence that their verified certificates, nanodegrees, or MicroMasters programs are valued by employers justifying the cost. The MicroMasters programs aren't worth any college credits unless you're admitted to a specific program at a specific school, and most of their partner schools aren't all that cheap. In many cases, the MOOC credentials are just a little cheaper than earning real college credits directly from a college at the undergraduate level. In many cases, their verified certificates are around the same price or more expensive than ACE/NCCRS credits. 

Coursera has stopped offering free certificates (there is financial aid if you're poor). Most of EdX's new courses do not offer the free, honor code certificates. Most of Coursera's non-credit-bearing, verified certificates are $49, which isn't too bad, but I'm not sure if they're worth anything. Some edX certificates are $49-69. I've seen a lot that are $99 and even some that are $199. At those prices, I could earn actual college credits through a company with ACE or NCCRS-evaluated courses. I could also use that money to earn industry-recognized certifications. Why should I pay $199 for an edX course in computer science when I can just earn an IT certification? 

I feel as if Coursera, Udacity, Udemy, and EdX have marketing on their side. A lot of people know about these companies/organizations. I feel as if not nearly as many know about Straighterline, Study.com, Davar, Shmoop, Ed4Credit, etc. If they have heard of the ACE and NCCRS course providers, they likely don't understand how they work with them not being accredited colleges. With all this money that some might be spending on verified certificates, they could be earning more wide-recognized college degrees or undergraduate certificates.

[Life Long Learning]

I 100% agree!

The only MOOCs I even like is the Australian "Open 2 Study" (O2S) with a FREE Certificates and Transcript.
https://www.open2study.com/courses

[sanantone]

I 100% agree!

The only MOOCs I even like is the Australian "Open 2 Study" (O2S) with a FREE Certificates and Transcript.  
https://www.open2study.com/courses

I came across Open 2 Study yesterday when searching for free certificates. Alison and Saylor also have open certificates. I don't really care for Alison's course offerings, and Saylor has cut many of their courses. The reason why I focus on certificates so much is because, if you want to earn credits by PLA, your school might require a certificate of completion to prove that you did the work in the MOOC.

[quigongene]

I do like that ModernStates is based on EdX. That is at least one method of using a MOOC to attain college credits, at least until their vouchers run out. Again, this is also one of the lesser known resources that needs to be screamed from the mountaintops

[dfrecore]

I agree - they haven't lived up to the hype, at least not yet. I think they're still trying to figure out how to actually monetize it, so that they can create good courses, without charging students as much as the colleges are. Right now, they are cheaper than most schools, but the end product isn't worth much.

I think if you compare them to colleges, they MAY be a better deal, and at least you can go out and learn stuff on your own. But, if you compare them to the course providers you listed, then they come across lacking.

But only people like us would know that (those of us on this forum).

[Life Long Learning]

I 100% agree!

The only MOOCs I even like is the Australian "Open 2 Study" (O2S) with a FREE Certificates and Transcript.  
https://www.open2study.com/courses

I came across Open 2 Study yesterday when searching for free certificates. Alison and Saylor also have open certificates. I don't really care for Alison's course offerings, and Saylor has cut many of their courses. The reason why I focus on certificates so much is because, if you want to earn credits by PLA, your school might require a certificate of completion to prove that you did the work in the MOOC.

I agree!  I think O2S is the only ones with a transcript with grades and Certificate (you print out the two pages).  I have taken about 12 total.

[videogamesrock]

You can use them if you are developing a portfolio, they can turn into credit.

[sanantone]

You can use them if you are developing a portfolio, they can turn into credit.

I mention that above, but if I have to pay over $99 for a certificate on top of the portfolio assessment fees, I am not using a MOOC for a PLA.

[Thorne]

You can use them if you are developing a portfolio, they can turn into credit.

I mention that above, but if I have to pay over $99 for a certificate on top of the portfolio assessment fees, I am not using a MOOC for a PLA.

Probably the wrong thread, but how do those PLAs actually work? Do they just charge you $$$, verify that you actually got the experience or education, make you write a short summary paper, and give you credit?

[videogamesrock]

Yea pretty much. In a PLA you list what you learned and provide proof such as your certificate. So for example I took some finance courses through coursera and petitioned this as generic finance courses such as self study.