MOOC in Indian higher education with specific reference to open universities: Prospects and challenges

Sindhu P Nair
Indira Gandhi National Open University
New Delhi, India

Massive open online courses (MOOC) are courses that are offered online and provide open access to an unlimited number of participants, transcending geography and time. It is interesting to note that a large number of Indian students are using MOOC from international providers. Developments in this area in India are at an early stage, with some work having been initiated.

In India, which has one of the world's largest higher education systems, there has been an increasing stress on the need to provide education using multi-media with various technologies. MOOC could have much to offer in providing quality education to the maximum number of learners as they are the most open and accessible means of online education; but they present certain challenges in aspects such as cost and revenue, and the success/completion rate of learners. This study aims to examine the prospects for Indian higher education providers, especially open universities, offering MOOC on the key parameters of access, equality and quality. It investigate the challenges involved and makes certain recommendations and suggestionson MOOC for policy-makers.