Massive open online courses in higher education

Abstract

MOOCs are the acronym for Massive Online Open Courses (or massive and open online courses) whose characteristics are their free, virtual, free and unlimited number of participants. MOOCs can be considered, from an educational point of view, as online learning solutions for a large number of learners simultaneously. However, it is detected that this modality is little explored in Paraguay. This research deals with a bibliographic review of authors at an international and national level who inquired about their nature and characteristics. Among the points reviewed by said authors, the level of student retention stands out; obtaining the learning goals through the MOOC, and the necessary commitment of the students. All these factors mentioned are important for the realization of the learning cycle in the courses addressed. The objective of the research was to describe the educational characteristics of MOOCs at the higher education level. The conclusion is that MOOCs have acquired an exponential importance and development compared to recent years and constitute a teaching system that emerges as a learning alternative that covers a wide range of current problems in higher education. Regarding the use of ICTs, the educational actors conclude that the virtuality, has implied for the teachers a greater investment of time in the performance of their work tasks, involving many times the carrying out of activities outside the working hours; thus diminishing the time devoted to his family life, sometimes causing emotional fatigue.