Peer Review

The Rise of MOOCs

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Apr 29, 2026 by Faculty Development

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

“The Rise of MOOCs-What do massive open online courses mean for the future of higher education?” is an analytical article that examines the rapid emergence of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and their transformative potential in higher education. The piece explains what MOOCs are, outlines their defining features, and traces their early adoption by universities. The article also explores how institutions were experimenting with MOOCs, the pedagogical questions they raised, and the ways technology was reshaping instructional delivery at scale.

Type of Material:

Presentation that inckludes a scholarly commentary

Recommended Uses:

Individual, as support material. May also be valuable as a discussion starter for conversations about digital learning innovation.

Technical Requirements:

None

Identify Major Learning Goals:

The most important goal is to show the importance and the promotion of the MOOCs. However the underlying goals are to:

- Recognize the historical context and early development of large-scale online learning.
- Examine institutional motivations for adopting MOOCs.

Target Student Population:

College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Basic familiarity with online learning concepts may be useful

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: The content and approach are appropriate
Concerns:: The concepts are not validated. There are no references. It is a good essay.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

It is possible to identify the objectives and focus of the material.

Concerns:

The material does not increase the learning potential of the students or promote conceptual understanding.

The material is old and there is a lot of advertising on the page.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: It is a functioning site with a friendly interface and navigation is not required to access the material.
Concerns:: There are no clear and precise instructions.

Other Issues and Comments:: This story appeared in the August 2013 digital edition of Campus Technology. One must click for a free subscription to the magazine.
Creative Commons: