Libraries and MOOCs

MOOCs are a current emphasis in higher education; what is the potential nature of libraries' involvement? 

A massive open online course (MOOC) is an online course aimed at unlimited participation and open access via the web. In addition to traditional course materials such as videos, readings and problem sets, MOOCs provide interactive user forums that help build a community for the students, professors, and teaching assistants (TAs). Wikipedia (a little adulatory, but a good start for information.)

In EDUCAUSE Review (November 4), Curtis Kendrick and Irene Gashurov write a concise, very serviceable introduction to the issues and practicalities facing libraries as their institutions initiate MOOCs. 

Libraries in the Time of MOOCs

A wave of disruptive technological changes has hit higher education, forcing us to rethink the way we teach, learn, and provide educational resources. For libraries, the growing reach and sheer numbers of massive open online courses (MOOCs) raise unprecedented challenges and opportunities. As we try to see our role within this new market, it might be worth reflecting on our readiness to operate in the increasingly complex online landscape. Soon, librarians might be asked to provide access to copyrighted, licensed electronic resources for MOOC students around the world. Will we be equipped with the technology to accommodate unprecedented numbers of students inside and outside the university? We will also have to deal with legal issues related to MOOCs, such as intellectual property rights, privacy issues, and state regulations. After exhausting the many ways of saying no to difficult change, perhaps we can find a way to work with all the stakeholders and help shape the rapidly changing MOOC model in concert with our own needs while we still can.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MOOC_poster_mathplourde.jpgSee the link for the full article; the authors go on to address the emergence of MOOCs and the issues and controversies they themselves generate, as well as implications for libraries in the area of provision of library information resources.