The Adoption of Massive Open Online Courses: Challenges and Benefits

• Published in: International journal of web-based learning and teaching technologies Vol. 13; no. 4; pp. 62 - 76
• Main Authors: Abu-Shanab, Emad A, Musleh, Sajida
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hershey IGI Global 01.10.2018
• Subjects: Adoption (Ideas); Barriers; College Students; Computer Mediated Communication; Curriculum Design; Distance Education; Distance learning; Educational Technology; Educational Theories; Educational Trends; Electronic Learning; Environment; Foreign Countries; Higher Education; Independent Study; Influence; Influence of Technology; Influences; Infrastructure; Intention; Learning Management Systems; Learning Processes; Lecture Method; Literature Reviews; Massive open online courses; MOOCs; Networks; Online Courses; Online education; Online instruction; Performance Factors; Periodicals; Program Effectiveness; Program Implementation; Public Colleges; Regression (Statistics); Social Influences; Social Media; Social networks; Student Attitudes; Student Characteristics; Student Evaluation; Student Surveys; Surveys; Teacher Characteristics; Teaching Methods; Usability; Usefulness; Jordan
• ISSN: 1548-1093; 1548-1107
• DOI: 10.4018/IJWLTT.2018100104

This article explores the challenges and benefits of using Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). It also tried to understand the issues that would influence students' perceptions regarding MOOCs. The Study utilized the Theory of Reasoned Actions (TRA) to understand the factors influencing respondents' adoption of such environment. An empirical research was conducted using a survey to probe subjects” opinions. Results significantly supported the TRA and predicted the intention to use MOOCs. Perceived usefulness and social influence were significant predictors of MOOCs adoption, but ease of use failed to predict the intentions to use MOOCs. Challenges related to infrastructure, control and assessment were important to sample. Subjects indicated that time and place convenience are important contributions of MOOCs. The adoption of MOOCs would increase the opportunities of benefiting people who are busy, disadvantaged, and geographically remote. It reduces the cost for educational institutions, and attracts more people to acquire degrees and training.