Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have gained popularity, enrolling over 6.3 million students across 130 institutions. Faculty see the value in MOOCs for reaching global audiences, enhancing pedagogy, and sharing knowledge, though many seek more institutional support. InsideTrack and ACE are committed to improving awareness and dialogue on the strategic aspects of MOOCs in higher education.

1. Massive
Open
Online
Courses To MOOC or not to MOOC:
Strategic lessons from
the pioneers
MOOCs are popular with students and institutions
More 6.3 than
million
students have signed up for a
MOOC course1
130 Institutions
work with
Coursera2 and edX3 to bring
MOOCs to students
But what’s the strategy behind them?
Administrators and Faculty agree:
Reach Global
Audience
Enhance
Pedagogy
MOOCs
Share
Knowledge
Faculty
Develop
Infrastructure
Engage
Faculty
Faculty want to teach more moocs
How is the volume of MOOCs you teach likely
to change over the next 2-3 years?
43.5 %
INCREASE
8.3 %
DECREASE
48.1 %
REMAIN
THE SAME
But they need more support
Administrators
Showcase
Institution
91% continue or increase
participation their
in
MOOCs
How much support did
you receive from your
institution and/or MOOC
platform in managing the
following aspects of a
MOOC?
MOST
are getting
adequate
technology
support
plan to
40.7% 29.6% 14.8% 14.8%
12% 15.7% 19.4% 52.8%
32.4% 31.5% 23.1% 13%
To learn more about the strategic desicion-making behind MOOCs
InsideTrack and ACE will continue to work with colleagues in the higher education community to raise awareness, foster
dialogue and share best practices on issues related to institutional strategy.
Please download our www.insidetrack.com/research/mooc presentation or visit www.insidetrack.com/research for more
information.
InsideTrack works with college and
universities to improve student and
institutional success. Their one-on-one
student coaching, process expertise,
analytics and technology have been proven
to increase graduation rates by an average
of 15 percent and enhance the student
experience. For more information, visit
www.insidetrack.com
Citations:
1. "An Early Report Card on Massive Open Online Courses." Wall Street Journal online. By Georey A. Fowler. October 8, 2013 N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.
2. Coursera is an education company that partners with the top universities and organizations in the world to oer courses online for anyone to take, for free. Global
Partners, U.S. State institutions. Coursera. N.p., Web 10 Oct. 2013
3. EdX is a non-profit created by founding partners Harvard and MIT. We're bringing the best of higher education to students around the world. EdX oers MOOCs and
interactive online classes. Schools. edX. N.p., Web 10 Oct. 2013
ACE is the nation’s most visible and
influential higher education association.
We represent the presidents of U.S.
accredited, degree-granting institutions,
which include two- and four-year colleges,
private and public universities, and
nonprofit and for-profit entities. For more
information, please visit www.acenet.edu
And there is the question of credit
Should your institution grant credit to students
who successfully complete your MOOC?
more1/3
than of
FACULTY who teach
MOOCs
think that their institution
should grant credit
64.4 % 35.6 % NO
YES
1 (no support)
2
3
4 (substantial support)
content
development
technology
platform
learning/outcomes
assessment
student
support services
36.1% 33.3% 14.8% 15.7%