Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are becoming more popular than ever due to a number of issues facing higher education institutions. “A massive open online course (MOOC) is a free, web-based distance learning program designed for participation by large numbers of geographically dispersed students. A MOOC can be modeled after a university course or it can be less structured. While MOOCs do not always offer academic credit, they provide an education that can lead to certification, employment, or further study” (TechTarget, 2017). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The creation of MOOCs was an important step in the right direction for education and for students who needed training for a job/career to improve their overall quality of life. In many fields, a certification will significantly improve the pay level of people without a college degree, as most cannot afford to acquire one. With more and more people choosing to pursue MOOCs, universities have begun to embrace the idea of ​​offering them to broaden their student base. “Elite universities, especially in America, are enthusiastically engaging in massive open online courses, or MOOCs. They see opportunities for brand improvement, pedagogical experimentation, recruiting and business model innovation. Major institutions provide branding, content, funding, staff, badges, and policy support to MOOCs, while smaller or less prestigious institutions have not engaged strongly with MOOCs due to lack of appetite, capacity, or opportunity” (MacGregor, 2013). The fact that elite and top-tier universities are incorporating MOOCs rather than smaller institutions is significant for people taking these courses as they will have the support of one of these universities on their resume when applying for a job or promotion working. Massive open online courses are opening doors to people who otherwise would not have had access to college courses through any other context. “Online education has become a hot topic recently, with more and more institutions looking to expand offerings. And this makes studies of the quality of online education both important and controversial. One study claimed that, on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those who received in-person instruction, a conclusion that received much attention and applause among online education advocates. But it also turned out that the results were wrong and that online learning in higher education is no more effective than in-person learning” (Wojciechowska, 2010). This may all seem quite shocking, but I would argue that online and in-person learning is simply about the student. The student must be willing to put in the effort and time necessary to excel at either type of school he or she chooses. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay MOOCs are advantageous in a variety of ways, the main one being cost. They are “free for students who enroll and cheap for those seeking credit” (Peterson, 2013). Educators should be willing to embrace the idea of ​​MOOCs for the benefit of all students. This would allow equal access to courses for career advancement, performance and even just appearance.