The Ongoing Rise of MOOCs

Mastering Skills from Anywhere

Let’s be honest—before the pandemic, many of us viewed Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) as subpar compared to traditional, in-person learning. At best, online education was often reserved for hobbies; at worst, it was considered inferior. However, when the pandemic confined us all to our homes in early 2020, the popularity of online learning platforms skyrocketed. This surge was driven by two key factors: the shift to remote learning for students and a wave of unemployed individuals seeking to upskill. Many platforms responded by offering degrees and certificates to help people stay competitive in an ever-evolving job market. The pandemic marked a turning point for online learning, transforming both its popularity and our collective acceptance of its legitimacy.

When the pandemic ended, many expected the demand for online learning platforms to decline. However, as I will outline, this hasn’t been the case—many of us have discovered that online platforms offer too many advantages to ignore. In this article, I’ll highlight some of these benefits and provide you with the tools to choose the right platform for your needs. I’ll also include an up-to-date list of the most popular MOOCs and what they offer, helping you narrow your search for the perfect learning experience.

Why We Love MOOCs

1)   Flexibility and Accessibility: The flexibility and accessibility of online learning are its most significant advantages. In a world where success is often measured by how busy we are, finding time to learn something new can be challenging. Online courses offer the invaluable benefit of fitting classes into your existing schedule, rather than forcing you to rearrange your life around them. Plus, you can access your course from anywhere with an internet connection, making it especially ideal for those with mobility challenges.

2)   Affordability: Online learning is highly cost-effective compared to traditional education. Classes are often less expensive—or even free—and there are usually no additional fees. Plus, you can skip the costs of transportation and physical materials, making it an even more affordable option.

3)   Self-Paced: You can progress through course modules at your own pace, making learning highly appealing for those juggling multiple commitments. This flexibility allows you to learn on your own terms, without the pressure of rigid schedules.

4)   The Diversity of Course Offerings: The sheer number of available courses across various platforms is astounding. Even better, most platforms offer the option to audit courses for free, allowing you to try them out before committing. If you find a course that’s valuable for your field, you can then choose to sign up for the certificate. It’s a win-win!

5)   Life-long Learning: This is perhaps my favorite reason, inspired by my mother, who taught me that education should be a lifelong pursuit. You should never stop acquiring new knowledge, whether it’s learning how to knit, play pickleball, or master cloud computing. My mother embodied this philosophy, spending her entire life studying and exploring new subjects—I even remember her taking classes in ancient Greek poetry and computer science in her 70s! It doesn’t get better than that.

6)   Expert Educators: MOOCs provide access to countless classes taught by Ivy League professors. For instance, Yale University offers courses like “The Science of Well-Being,” “Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing,” and “Introduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook for Becoming a Principled and Persuasive Negotiator.” Other prestigious institutions, including Harvard, Princeton, and Cornell, also offer a wide range of courses, and the list goes on...

How to Decide Which MOOC is the Best Fit for You?

1)   Define Your Objective: Are you seeking something fun, like learning a new craft or hobby, or are you aiming to launch a new career or enhance your skill set? Defining your goal will help you narrow down the right platform for your needs.

2)   Platform and Course Selection: Use the platform list below to find the MOOC that best suits your needs. For example, if you’re interested in creative writing, start by exploring 2-3 platforms to see what courses are available. While many courses offer paid certificates, don’t be discouraged—look for a highlighted audit option that allows you to access the content for free. If a course requires payment and that’s not in your plan, simply move on to the next platform to find a similar free offering.

3)   Accreditation: If receiving accreditation is important to you, ensure that the course is offered by a reputable and well-known institution. This will add significant value to your credentials. Verify that the platform is recognized by an accrediting agency and meets specific educational standards. More details on this are provided below.

4)   Learning Format and Help Resources: When selecting a class, be sure to check how the course is delivered. Is it pre-recorded or conducted in a live virtual classroom? Can it be completed at your own pace, or does it require real-time attendance? Make sure the format aligns with your schedule and availability. If you’re planning to take an accredited class, also take a moment to review the learning support resources, discussion forums, and instructor availability to ensure you have the support you need.

The Many MOOCS to Mule Over

1)   Coursera: Launched in 2012, Coursera offers access to over 7,000 courses, so you’re bound to find something that piques your interest. Partnered with more than 200 institutions and serving nearly a million registered users in over 190 countries, Coursera’s classes are taught by university professors and are equivalent to those at traditional academic institutions. The platform offers a variety of learning options, including guided projects, specializations, professional certificates, and even degrees. What sets Coursera (along with edX) apart is the opportunity to earn accredited credentials at an affordable rate.

2)   edX: Founded in 2012 by Dr. Anant Agarwal and his colleagues at MIT and Harvard, edX offers over 3,000 courses. With both instructor-paced and self-paced options, you can choose what best fits your schedule. edX provides a range of certifications, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as professional certificates. Similar to Coursera, many classes can be audited for free. While the platform offers a variety of subjects, it primarily focuses on STEM fields—natural sciences, math, engineering, and technology. Partnered with over 160 institutions, including Ivy League schools, edX offers many fully accredited programs. Their partnership with Arizona State University also enables the “Global Freshman Academy,” allowing students to transfer credits for certain classes. Like Coursera, edX is geared towards higher education, but if you’re more interested in lifestyle courses or learning new skills, read on.

3)   MasterClass: The main appeal of MasterClass is that its courses are taught by celebrities and industry leaders at the top of their fields. Let’s be honest—who wouldn’t be excited to learn photography from Annie Leibovitz or cooking from Wolfgang Puck or Gordon Ramsay? With over 200 classes available, covering topics from the art of negotiation to wine appreciation, MasterClass offers something for everyone. At its core, MasterClass provides a variety of courses designed to help you improve yourself and your surroundings, all while having a great time. The real draw is the sheer entertainment factor; it’s a fun and uplifting way to learn new skills. Classes are often delivered in 10–15-minute bite-sized videos, making it easy to squeeze in a quick session anytime. Plus, it makes an excellent gift for that hard-to-shop-for person in your life.

4)   Khan Academy Kids & Khan Academy: Khan Academy Kids is designed for Pre-K learners up to 2nd grade, while Khan Academy serves students from 3rd grade and beyond. As a non-profit organization, Khan Academy offers a vast range of courses across nearly every subject imaginable—and all for free. The self-paced format allows students to progress at their own speed, making it an excellent tool for children struggling in subjects like math. The platform generates random problems that increase in difficulty as students improve, offering a game-like progression system that keeps learners motivated. No account is required; students can jump right in. However, it’s important to note that Khan Academy isn’t collaborative or interactive, and there’s no verbal feedback from a teacher. Despite these limitations, it remains a fantastic resource for struggling students and a valuable supplemental tool for highly motivated learners.

5)   LinkedIn Learning: Originally launched in California in the 1990s, this platform started as an online support site for classes by Lynda Weinman. She and her husband began offering online courses in the early 2000s. Microsoft acquired the platform in 2016, and it was rebranded as LinkedIn Learning in 2017. The courses are divided into four categories: Technology, Business, Creative, and Certifications. LinkedIn Learning’s mission is to identify the latest job market trends and deliver expert-led courses to meet those needs. With over 9,000 career-focused courses, users receive personalized recommendations and can access classes anytime, anywhere. Audio and video courses are available in seven different languages. Whether you’re looking to maintain professional accreditation or explore a new career path, LinkedIn Learning is a great place to start.

6)   Skillshare: Founded in 2010 in New York City, Skillshare has grown to over 13 million registered users, 11,000 teachers, and more than 34,000 classes. Central to Skillshare’s mission is the empowerment of teachers and the democratization of learning. As an online learning community, Skillshare allows anyone with expertise and a shareable skill to create and share content. The platform primarily focuses on creative fields and operates on a subscription basis. Skillshare is a fantastic resource for anyone with a passion for creativity.

7)   Pluralsight: Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Utah, with additional offices in Boston, Dublin, and Sydney, Pluralsight caters to professionals looking to stay current with evolving technological trends. Ideal for those in tech-based careers, Pluralsight offers two main approaches: Skills and Flow. The Skills platform focuses on upskilling, targeting individuals, IT operations, software development, and security teams through self-paced modules that help keep them ahead of the tech curve. Flow, on the other hand, is designed to streamline project workflows, aiding teams working with code, managers optimizing data use, and product leaders assessing analytics for better collaboration and efficiency.

8)   Udacity: What sets Udacity apart from other platforms is its Nanodegree programs—project and skills-based educational courses specializing in computer science that demonstrate mastery in specific areas. Partnered with industry giants like Google and Amazon, Udacity is recognized as a leader in digital tech learning, helping students prepare for careers in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Machine Learning, Cyber Security, and Data Engineering. Unlike traditional MBAs or master’s degrees, Nanodegrees are focused on hands-on, project-based learning, providing actionable experience that directly prepares you for a tech career. These stackable credentials keep you updated on the latest tech innovations. Upon completing a series of projects and demonstrating proficiency in a skill set, you receive credentials verifying your achievement. Courses can take anywhere from a month to a year to complete, often requiring team collaboration. While Udacity is not accredited, the value of a Nanodegree lies in its market-driven, industry-recognized training that is highly valued by top tech companies.

Convenience and flexibility are key reasons why the appeal of MOOCs isn’t fading anytime soon. With an extensive array of classes across numerous disciplines, it’s easy to get hooked on learning online. So why not explore some of them? You might just discover a whole new skill set you never knew you excelled at!

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