Analyzing the Role of Internet and Online MOOC Certifications

This essay explores the significance of Internet and Online MOOC Certifications in contemporary education. It highlights how technology, particularly the Internet, has broadened access to education and facilitated the acquisition of essential skills. The essay contrasts MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) with traditional online programs, emphasizing MOOCs' open access, free availability, and flexible course structures. It further discusses the benefits of MOOCs, including supplementing other learning methods, providing lifelong learning opportunities, offering recognized certificates, and providing a wide range of subjects. The essay concludes by outlining the simple steps required to enroll in a MOOC, underscoring its growing popularity and importance in modern education and training. Desklib offers more resources for students seeking solved assignments and past papers.

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Internet and Online MOOC Certifications
In the contemporary world, technology has impacted almost all aspects of human life. In
our day to day activities, we interact with technologies ranging from a simple alarm clock to the
sophisticated and high-end self-drive cars. The education sector is no exception to the
technological influence. In some ways, we may think that the education sector is still the same
year in year out. In a Laurentius de Voltolina illustration dated back to the 14th century, a
medieval Italy lecture is illustrated. There are a lot of similarities with the modern education
system since the lecturer is portrayed giving a speech in front with the students seated in rows
and having their books open as they follow along. Based on this line of thinking, that is the
environmental organization in class; technology may have minimal impact on the education
sector. However, having a comprehensive of the education sector, many changes have occurred,
and new ones still emerge as time goes.
Technology and technological advancement have changed the education sector
profoundly (Domingo and Garganté, 2016, pp. 20). The first impact of technology is expanded
access to education. Books were very few in the past years, and they were only accessible to the
royal families and the few elites in the community. This helped in propagating the community
injustice by giving only a few people the opportunities that came along with having an education
background. In the modern technology-oriented world, there is increased access to education.
There is a massive amount of information (books, journals, articles, video, audios, images) that
can be accessed easily through the Internet. The internet information sources can be obtained for
educational purposes all over the world through traditional online programs, podcasts, Khan
Academy, MOOCs among many more platforms. This has made it possible for people to access
learning opportunities easily and promoting career development and diffusion of knowledge.

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Secondly, technology has been used as a training aid to facilitate the acquisition of
essential skills required in career development. The computer, for instance, can be used to store,
modify, and retrieve learning materials as well as create documents for educational purposes.
PowerPoint presentations are commonly used in the education system to enhance teaching
through the incorporation of the visual and audio medium. There are other specific applications
such as the Grammarly and Purdue Owl, which train students to master grammatical concepts
and formatting issues, respectively. There other sophisticated applications such as the simulation
tools used in the training of pilots as well as in the programming, engineering, and architecture
simulations.
It is evident that technology has improved communication and collaboration in learning.
Learning in the education sector used to be confined to the classroom, but this is not the current
situation. The Internet has enabled the establishment of virtual communities which are used as
classes for people to share information. Learning used to be one-way traffic where the teacher
was the source o knowledge, and the students were merely passive members in the class who just
absorbed what the teacher delivers. Nowadays, learning in interactive and students can access
information on the Internet through blogs, articles, or journals and contribute actively to the
learning process. The influence of technology is immense and cannot be exhausted; thus, this
essay is going to concentrate on the importance of the Internet and Online MOOC Certifications
in education and training. The technological impact can be both positive and negative; thus, it
should be well regulated to ensure that is has a positive effect on the education sector.
The Internet has played a pivotal role in the development and advancement of
technology in general. Most techniques are not functional without the Internet while the Internet
indirectly influences others in the design, distribution, and implementation phases. Let us take an

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example of Skype that is used for online learning. Skype cannot be operational unless both the
users are connected to the Internet for communication to take place. This is just a single
example; there is a wide range of technologies that are supported by the Internet, making it an
essential component the technological advancement.
MOOCs certification is becoming a popular topic of concern the developing education
sector, especially in the area of higher learning education. MOOCs adoption in the education
sector is on the rise all over the world hence becoming a topic among scholars and other
stakeholders in the education sector across the globe. MOOCs is an acronym that stands for
Massive Open Online Courses that are offered to everyone for free. MOOCs are becoming
increasingly popular in the education sector, especially among the youths because of the benefits
it provides to the people who enroll for such programs, (Zimmermann, Kopp, and Ebner, 2016).
MOOCs are very beneficial in the sense that they provide the opportunity to deliver quality
education on a scale as well as advance in career and learn new skills flexibly and affordable.
It should be noted that MOOCs are entirely different from the traditional online programs
offered by learning institutions, although they may have some few similarities. The similarities
fundamental similarity that make people mistake MOOCs to traditional online programs is the
fact that both are offered online. Also, in most cases, the same professors that teach online
college classes often teach the MOOCs and the course materials provided in both programs are
similar. Just like the online class college programs, a student enrolled in MOOCs can have a
flexible learning schedule allowing students to decide the best time for them to study and take
tests. The similarities make MOOCs look similar, but there are a lot of aspects that differentiate
the two programs.

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To understand the difference between MOOCs and online college programs, we have to
discuss the basic features of MOOCs. The three essential elements of MOOCs is that they are
open to everyone; they are free and have a flexible course structure. MOOCs are available to
anyone who can access the Web and has a computer installed with hardware components that are
compatible with the MOOC requirements. This is not the same for an online college class where
one has to be a student in the institution to be able to access the course. In a MOOC, there is no
physical classroom, and all the class materials and information can be accessed electronically
over the Internet. Apart from being free to everyone, the MOOC has no limit on the number of
students who can be enrolled line the case of the online college program. Online college
programs have a maximum number of students that are determined by the available resources as
well as school policies. MOOCs accommodate anyone regardless of age, race, or culture as long
as they meet the course requirements.
MOOCs are entirely free in most cases. The program is usually open in most cases, and
it is generally offered through a partnership a charity or volunteer organization and a training
institution. This makes MOOCs very friendly to people who have the passion, but they don't
have funds to sponsor them in a learning institution. There are few cases where some MOOC
providers may charge a fee to facilitate certification for completion of a course. For students who
are already enrolled in a learning institution, enrolling in a MOOC program may lead to an
academic course credit upon completion of the MOOC course.
The third essential feature of MOOCs is a flexible course structure. The course work is
generally self-paced given the fact that anyone can join the course and at different time. Students
have a choice to determine the most appropriate time for them to study and as well as take tests.
The flexibility aspect makes MOOCs very favorable for career development since one can work

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and study conveniently without the two activities bringing conflict of interests. The few
structures that may be available is the basic ones such as class progression schedule and a
grading structure for the course, (Au-Yong-Oliveira et al., 2018). MOOCs are revolutionizing the
education sector in a way that we cannot imagine, and shortly, there may be no need for people
to attend physical class, especially in higher learning.
Is MOOCs certification necessary in the education sector? This is a rhetoric question
since we cannot overlook the importance of this revolutionary technology in the education
sector. The MOOC program has so many benefits that make it a valuable asset in teaching and
training of students. The benefits that come with enrolling for a MOOC are many making people
interested in the system.
MOOCs are essential because of the supplement other leaning methods. Several learning
and teaching methods are ranging from traditional physical class learning to online college
programs. Even though MOOCs may not lead to a degree or academic credit, they benefit
students enrolled in the other learning programs that lead to academic credit. Students are among
the highest beneficiary of the MOOCs program. Most students have challenges in understanding
certain classes in their courses, and some do not have the economic power to seek for
professional assistance by hiring tutors. That is where the free aspect of MOOCs becomes a key
savior to the student. The student can enroll for a MOOC program for the class to get as to
assistance free of charge and at their convenient time. Isn't that a good thing? I bet it is.
Secondly, MOOCs provides lifelong learning opportunities. MOOCs take away the
pressure that comes with learning. The economic pressure to get funds to cater for tuition fees as
well as the worrying of ruining your academic records by taking so many academic leaves is this
not known in the world of MOOCs. The student can make learning fun by taking one MOOC

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after the other at their convenience as they pursue and crucial issues in their life (Egloffstein and
Ifenthaler, 2017, pp.66). The other importance of MOOCs is the fact that the programs are free.
Everyone would like to save an extra dollar, and such a learning avenue that offers knowledge
and skills at zero cost is a lucrative learning opportunity. The other benefit of this program is
that it can provide recognized certificates. Students who are already enrolled in an institution that
acknowledges MOOCs may be accredited upon completion of a course. This is advantageous
since a student can take more than one sessions at the same time, making them multi-skilled.
The last but not least important of MOOCs certification is that it offers a wide range of
subjects. Only very few developed academic institutions can offer a plethora of technical and
academic issue provided in the MOOCs program. The program offers an extensive collection of
courses which students can choose to pursue. The course may range from classic middle school
literature to theoretical mathematics used in big data and artificial intelligence. The program
covers so many classes that cannot be practically offered in many institutions. Also, most of the
institutions have a maximum number of students they can enroll for a particular path and also the
maximum capacity of student an institution can hold. This is not the case with MOOCs programs
since there is no limit in the number of student taking a given course. This allows a lot of people
to access information and learns new knowledge and skills. From the high importance of the
program, we can relate why it is gaining more popularity with time and becoming an issue of
concern among the new technologies in education and training.
The steps required in enrolling for a MOOC are not complicated as it may seem. The
essential requirement for this program is a computer connected to the Internet and a valid
operational email address. The student's efforts and hard work will determine the time taken to
complete a MOOC successfully. The first step is to figure out the reason for taking a MOOC.

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The main aim of the MOOCs is to impart knowledge and skills and is not concerned about the
accreditation of the courses. The purpose of enrolling for a MOOC may be different from that of
joining an academic institution. An individual who is interested in learning new knowledge and
skills and applying them for their good should proceed and enroll in this program. However, an
individual who is more interested in getting accredited for doing a course and obtain proof for
that can then opt for the other learning methods. However, some institutions recognize MOOCs
and may give a degree or credit to students who are enrolled in the school for completion of
MOOCs programs. Therefore, before enrolling for any MOOC, an individual should clearly
understand this implication.
The second step is to determine whether there is a prerequisite required for a given
MOOC. The fact that MOOCs program allows everyone to enroll cannot eliminate the role
played by prerequisites in the teaching and learning process, especially in higher learning.
Prerequisites are prior qualifications and exposures that facilitate the learning or teaching a given
area of study. It is not realistic for an engineering student to enroll a course in a medical
specialization course. Lack of background knowledge on the course will make it difficult for the
student to acquire the skills and expertise thought in the class. Also, for the MOOCs that charge
some amount for certification, they may require the prerequisites to offer the certificates.
Therefore it is essential for the student to check if there are any prerequisites needed for a
particular MOOCs before enrollment.
Confirming the technical requirement is the third step in this process of participating in
MOOCs. After the student has decided the purpose to join a MOOC and has determined the
prerequisites required, the student should check for the technical requirements that facilitate the
program. MOOCs involve sharing information and learning resources electronically; thus, their

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several software necessary to access and retrieve the sources. The internet connection is an
essential requirement, and the information sources may consist of abundant media sources such
as images, videos, and audio files; thus, a broadband connection is preferred. Compatibility
issues also arise; therefore, the student should ensure that applications such as PDF viewer used
to access the electronic material are up to date to facilitate access to electronic information
resources.
The next step is to register with the MOOC provider. Most of the MOOC providers only
require the student name and a valid operational email address. After that, the student can
immediately access the MOOC program and start the learning process. Most of the providers
offering certification usually request a small amount of money to facilitate the certification
process upon completion of the course. They may also require more information, such as the
reasons for enrolling for the program or the region of the student. In such a situation, the student
will pay the fee and start the course.
Determining the MOOC provider is not difficult in the interconnected Web world.
There are several MOOC provider on the Internet, such as the Canvas Network. Some MOOC
provider is good at giving the course in a given field than others; hence, it is essential for the
student to do proper online research. The student could also ask his colleagues for referrals to the
most appropriate MOOC provider for a given course (Mai, Poppe, and Greenhow, 2016).
Furthermore, the student can still use the Internet to check for reviews and commentary from
people who have experience. The student will then have an option to choose from the many
MOOC providers available.
From the above discussion, we can already see the influence education has on the
teaching and leading in education just from considering the Internet and MOOCs. Several

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technological applications have been adopted in the education sector. These technologies have
wholly revolutionized teaching and learning. More specifically, the learning process has
diverged from the traditional concept of learning being one-way traffic, where the teacher is the
primary source of knowledge, and the students are just passive participants. Education has now is
more accessible through the Internet.
As much as MOOCs have several advantages and benefits, as mentioned in the above
discussion, it would be biased not to look at the negative side of this program in teaching and
learning. There are several disadvantages associated with the MOOCs program. The first
drawback of the program is the fact the MOOCs are not accredited. This makes MOOCs causes
less valuable compared to conventional learning methods. Even for the few providers who issue
a certificate of completion, this does not hold any weight. This has raised ethical concerns on
whether education is merely based on accreditation or possession of knowledge and skill. Do you
think MOOCs deserve to be accredited? I would say yes, but still, there are still several
mechanisms such as to regulate the program. It is not harmful to add the completion of a MOOC
as part of a resume, but it does not hold much significance.
The other disadvantage is that the MOOC courses are simplified compared to the college
course version. The simplification of the classes always will interfere with the learning in the
process. The MOOC programs are simplified to accommodate the flexibility and free aspect, and
this may make the class completely different from the college version. This may be the main
reason why the causes are not credited. The course providers are always trying to reach as many
students as possible, and this may lead them to settle on only teaching the basic concepts of a
course. Also, the program lacks the human interaction aspect useful in teaching and learning.

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There is very minimal interaction between the teachers and the student in this program as well as
among the students, and this reduces the quality of education.
The MOOC is also are associated with the increasing trend, of course, abandonment. The
program offers a flexible and student-paced learning schedule, but this advantage causes some
negative patterns in the program (Su et al., 2016). It has been observed most of the students who
enroll for the MOOCs program abandon the course before completion, (Guo, Li and Liu, 2015).
This flexibility makes students focus on other issues and eventual interest and focus on the cause
reduces, and the student abandons the program. This account to wastage of time, which we all
know is a valuable resource.
The disadvantage mentioned above should not be used as a basis to discourage MOOC
certification. The program has few drawbacks just like any other humanmade system, but its
advantages outweigh the disadvantages by far. Therefore, to facilitate the successful
implementation of this program in teaching and learning all the stakeholders should be involved.
Researcher and system designers should work together with the other stakeholders to formulate
and initiate mechanisms the will ensure this program is improved. One way of ensuring this is to
come up with a framework that will be used to regulate the MOOCs providers. This may make
the programs come at a little extra cost, but it would make the courses more significant since the
cause will meet the accreditation requirements. This would be a good move, and it would mark a
milestone in the development of this learning and teaching method. The MOOCs providers can
also increase the partnership with an academic institution to improve the implementation of the
program. This will help in bridging the gap between the college versions of a course to the
MOOCs version (Rumble, 2019). The program can shift toward compliance of teaching and
learning requirements through such partnerships.

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In conclusion, technology has a significant impact on so many aspects of human life,
and the education sector is no exception. Technology has influenced the teaching and learning
process in several ways, including the incorporation of software and data storage applications.
Technology and technological advancement have changed the education sector profoundly. The
first impact of technology is expanded access to education. Books were very few in the past
years, and they were only accessible to the royal families and the few elites in the community.
Secondly, technology has been used as a training aid to facilitate the acquisition of essential
skills required in career development. It is evident that technology has improved communication
and collaboration in learning. Learning in the education sector used to be confined to the
classroom, but this is not the current situation.
MOOCs certification is becoming a popular topic of concern the developing education
sector, especially in the area of higher learning education. MOOCs adoption in the education
sector is on the rise all over the world hence becoming a topic among scholars and other
stakeholders in the education sector across the globe. MOOCs is an acronym that stands for
Massive Open Online Courses that are offered to everyone for free. From the above discussion,
we can already see the influence education has on the teaching and leading in education just from
considering the Internet and MOOCs. Several technological applications have been adopted in
the education sector. These technologies have wholly revolutionized teaching and learning.
There also some disadvantages but proper measures can be put in place to improve the MOOCs
program.
References

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Au-Yong-Oliveira, M., Gonçalves, R., Martins, J., and Branco, F., 2018. The social impact of
technology on millennials and the consequences for higher education and leadership. Telematics
and Informatics, 35(4), pp.954-963.
Domingo, M.G., and Garganté, A.B., 2016. Exploring the use of educational technology in
primary education: Teachers' perception of mobile technology learning impacts and applications'
use in the classroom — computers in Human Behavior, 56, pp.21-28.
Egloffstein, M., and Ifenthaler, D., 2017. Employee perspectives on MOOCs for workplace
learning. TechTrends, 61(1), pp.65-70.
Guo, P., Li, N., and Liu, T., 2015, October. Discussion on challenges and its countermeasures of
MOOCs to undergraduate teaching majoring in the Internet of things in China. In International
Conference on Education, Management and Information Technology. Atlantis Press.
Littlejohn, A., Hood, N., Milligan, C., and Mustain, P., 2016. Learning in MOOCs: Motivations
and self-regulated learning in MOOCs. The Internet and Higher Education, 29, pp.40-48.
Mai, M., Poppe, A., and Greenhow, C., 2016. 13 Social Media and Education on a Massive
Scale: The Case of MOOCs. Education and Social Media: Toward a Digital Future, p.209.
Mohamad, M., and Rahim, M.K.I.A., 2018. FACTORS AFFECTING MOOCS
CONTINUANCE INTENTION IN MALAYSIA: A PROPOSED CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK. Korea, 2(7).
Rumble, G., 2019. The planning and management of distance education. Routledge.
Su, Y.S., Huang, C.S., and Ding, T.J., 2016. Examining the Effects of MOOCs Learners' Social
Searching Results on Learning Behaviors and Learning Outcomes. Eurasia Journal of
Mathematics, Science & Technology Education, 12(9).

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Zimmermann, C., Kopp, M., and Ebner, M., 2016. How MOOCs can be used as an instrument of
scientific research. Proceedings of the European Stakeholder Summit on experiences and best
practices in and around MOOCs (E.M.O.O.C.S. 2016), pp.393-400.