This document provides an overview of MOOCs, including what they are, their history, characteristics, and types. A MOOC is a massive open online course that is free and has unlimited participation. They first emerged in 2008 and aim to provide educational opportunities to millions of students. MOOCs have online content like videos and readings and have no limits on attendance. The main types are connectivist MOOCs and eXtension MOOCs. The author expresses interest in creating a life sciences MOOC and pursuing topics like genetics, evolution, and environmental studies in future MOOCs.

1. MOOC

2. CONTENT
• What is a MOOC
• History of MOOC
• Characteristics of MOOC
• Types of MOOCs
• Field of my interest of study
• Topics I would like to persue in future MOOC experience

3. What does MOOC stand for?
• M - Massive
• O - Open
• O - Online
• C - Course

4. What is a MOOC?
A MOOC is an online course that has unlimited participation and open access via the website. Anyone with an
internet can attend for free. These classes are aimed at expanding a university’s reach from thousand of tuition
paying students to a million students. Although MOOCs don’t always offer academic credits, they provide
education that may enable certification, employment or further studies.

5. Characteristics of a MOOC
• Allows content online delivery to any person who wants to take a course
• Free courses that are online
• Has no limit to attendance
• Has materials like videos, readings and problem sets that students can use
for them to learn effectively

6. History of MOOC
• First MOOC was offered in 2008 at the University of Manitoba
• Distributive nature of Stephen Downes and George Siemens
• CCKO8 course
• First MOOCs emerged from OER (Open Educational Resources) movement
• Term came up with Dave Cormier

7. Types of MOOCs

8. CMOOCs
Connectivist MOOC. This is a MOOC designed for connectivity learners built by George
Siemens.

10. XMOOC
Developed out of the OpenCourseWare and Open Educational Resources

12. Field of interest
I want to create a Life Sciences MOOC where I can give students a platform to learn and for them to
educate themselves with topics regarding Life Sciences.

13. Topics I would like to persue in future with
MOOC
• Genetics
• Evolution
• Environmental studies
• Micro organisms