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.