The MOOC Identity

Pressure has been mounting over the last three years to introduce innovative forms of online delivery and methodology and create avant-garde learning content in the form of MOOCs. MOOCs initiatives have mushroomed in diverse areas, including the creation of learning content; the development of purpose-built platforms and aggregators; the definition of quality assessment systems; advanced tools and services provision; knowledge delivery and educational publishing.

The MOOCs explosion has also opened the way to debate – at times heated – regarding traditional Higher education business models, the importance of educational technology in self-learning, the role and status of teachers, and issues regarding assessment and accreditation where more personalised courses are concerned.

The MOOC landscape is fast changing. As the MOOC market continues to grow, and new players continue to enter, do Universities still hold a dominant role? How is their strategy evolving? The original MOOC academic format seems to be under pressure from various sides to better adapt to the web environment. But also to respond to a more professional – and less scholarly – target.

The changing boundaries of the MOOC identity is the main theme of the Anacapri 2016 International Colloquium.