Massive Open Online Courses and perspectives from learners in developing countries

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are a recent, innovative addition to the online learning landscape that can provide learning opportunities to large numbers of people across the globe. Within a short time span, MOOCs have become a popular phenomenon with many viewing them as ‘the solution’ to the developing world’s lack of access to education. However, there are many factors that can affect successful participation/learning in a MOOC, which can especially be challenging for learners from developing countries, who face greater difficulties of ‘access’ (physical as well as sufficient level of digital literacy), and have to negotiate learning in languages and cultural settings other than their own. This paper uses personas of four typical learners from developing countries and discusses what MOOCs would mean to them. Building upon the experiences of these learners, the discussion forms a holistic view of challenges faced by learners from developing countries in engaging with MOOCs and the opportunities/threats that MOOCs will bring, ranging from access issues to extending opportunities.