The document discusses the growth and potential of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) in providing free education and improving employability, highlighting a German platform's achievements and goals. It identifies barriers to formal recognition of MOOCs and emphasizes the need for joint efforts in accreditation across stakeholders to enhance transparency and credibility. The document also raises questions about employer certification acceptance and the necessity for efficient communication among stakeholders for MOOC recognition.

1. MOOC accreditation
and employability
June 2014

2. …and make it count.
We provide free online education….

3. The Leading European Player in the MOOC Space
3
The Company
Location:
Berlin, Germany
Team:
25 people
2013:
Partnership with
Stifterverband, first ten MOOCs
launched in October 2013,
115k users on launch day
2014:
Currently 35 courses live, over
450,000 users and 600,000
enrolments, goal 100 courses,
1,000,000 users

4. Our Partners
University Partners Institutional Partners

5. Status Quo
Growing costs for (higher) education
!
Growing demand for education & training
!
Extremely fragmented online course ware market
!
Since 2012 MOOCs delivered free education with
moderate to no formal recognition

6. Status Quo
Numerous barriers against formal recognition!
of online learning:!
!
Lack of knowledge about content providers and courses
!
Lack of transparency regarding institutional procedures,
pedagogy and assessment
!
Lack of trust in institutional quality systems
(VM Pass 2014)

7. Hypotheses
H1: MOOCs can be crucial to develop the (IT) skills needed
in the current market.
!
H2: The future of MOOCs depend on the accreditation and
recognition.
!
H3: Improving the official recognition of MOOCs needs a
joint approach by all stakeholders, with strong political
support on a national and European level.
!

8. iversity’s approach
We believe MOOCs can be a key instrument to deliver academic
knowledge and relevant skills. To improve the recognition and
employability, we as a platform provider focus on:
- providing certification with proctoring & verification solutions
- allowing more transparency (Learning outcomes, Course Supplement)
- offering MOOCs for ECTS credits (European Higher Education Area)
!
!
!

9. the debate
For different purposes there are numerous frameworks
TOEFL
European Area of Skills and Qualifications (EASQ)
European Qualifications Framework
VM-Pass Initiative
ECTS
EU Quality Assurance in Vocational
Education & Training
Common European Framework of Reference
for Languages
Europass

10. open questions
1. What form of certification do employers accept?
2. How do we create an efficient exchange between all
stakeholders in the field of MOOC recognition?

11. iversity – Study Anywhere
Thank you
Mattia Nelles
m.nelles@iversity.org
@mattia_n
Study Anywhere.