MOOCs and Open Education in the Global South

Contributions from 25 emerging economies make this book a unique compendium of innovative ideas and valuable insights. The chapters highlight the `open' dimension of MOOCs and the potential impact on promoting lifelong learning and sustainable development. The range and diversity of contributions is a fulfilling read for both policy makers and practitioners and demonstrates the vision and commitment of the editors to inclusion, innovation, and collaboration. Asha Kanwar, President and CEO, Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, Canada MOOCs have reached a plateau. This book helps to understand how different types of economies have made use of this innovative delivery mechanism and are preparing to overcome the current plateau to take advantage of as well as expand upon the potentiality of MOOCS. Professor Miguel Nussbaum, Co-Editor of Computers & Education, School of Engineering, Universidad Catolica de Chile Since its introduction a dozen years ago the MOOC has become a global phenomenon. The editors do an excellent job capturing a diversity of applications and perspectives. We see the MOOC not merely as an online course, but a vehicle for improving access, advancing pedagogy, and fostering progress for good around the world. This reflects the original purpose of the MOOC and I am delighted to see it carried forward in this volume. Stephen Downes, Senior Researcher, National Research Council of Canada and the originator of the MOOC Following a common pattern for innovations in educational technology, Open Educational Resources - MOOCs in particular - were grossly over-hyped in the early 2010s. This book takes a global perspective in providing a reality check for the 2020s. While only a few emerging economies (e.g., India) are deploying home-produced MOOCs at scale, fears that they would be a vehicle for a neo-colonialist agenda have proved over-blown. Encouragingly, the book reports burgeoning research activity on open education, boding well for the future. Sir John Daniel, Chancellor, Acsenda School of Management, Vancouver, BC Informative and inspiring! This edited collection of studies, research, reports, and experiences on specific countries and regions across the global setting provides invaluable information on the current situation, trends, and challenges of MOOCs and OERs. We will apply the enhanced understanding and insight to keep innovating and expanding the impact of these knowledge tools to improve social and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Juan Cristobal Bonnefoy, Chief, Inter-American Institute for Economic and Social Development (INDES), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Not often do so many famous names get together to share such relevant information. At a time when MOOCs have become mainstream it is necessary for us to re-think their position in emerging economies. The authors provide a comprehensive look at the past, present, and future of MOOCs and give valuable insights into international policy and practice. This book is a must-have for open education practitioners world-wide. Johannes Cronje, Dean of Informatics and Design, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), South Africa This is not just another MOOC book providing the `openness philosophy.' Instead, it is a well-balanced realistic overview of projects, ideas, and evaluations throughout the world. A valuable addition to a too often dominant western world view and approach. Theo J. Bastiaens, Rector Magnificus, Open University, the Netherlands MOOCs have been a game changer in the higher education world for over a decade now. What is clear from this fascinating book is that the trend toward MOOCs and open education is not only impacting in affluent countries, but today they play a huge role throughout the developing world. In fact, late starter countries benefit from the success and limits of various trials in advanced countries as well as their own innovations and in-roads. This book delineates myriad exciting MOOC approaches, open education perspectives, and real world lessons as well as the associated social and political issues and ramifications in the Global South. As such, it provides diverse points of view for educators who need to practice MOOC approaches in developing countries. Okhwa Lee, Professor, Chungbuk National University, Korea I have been so looking forward to this edited volume from Zhang, Bonk, Reeves, and Reynolds. It is yet another extraordinary book by a set of proven authors on topics that are highly current and extremely relevant to educators in the Global South and beyond. Zoraini Wati Abas, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Educational Technology), Wawasan Open University, Malaysia This book offers an insightful and rare perspective on the evolution of MOOCs in the Global South. An illustrious group of authors address issues ranging from historical perspectives, current practices, designs, multi-country collaborations, policies, and organizational innovations that impact the implementation of MOOCs in specific contexts. The diverse perspectives from several countries make this unique offering a must read for those who want to design online learning environments to enable more people from more places to learn with and from each other. Charlotte Nirmalani (Lani) Gunawardena, Distinguished Professor, Organization, Information, & Learning Sciences Program, University of New Mexico MOOCs and Open Education in the Global South brings together the multi-country issues on MOOCs and OERs which are 21st century innovations. The authors have explored a variety of interesting data across the regions of the world. This insightful new guide helps the readers to make smart decisions while designing and creating MOOCs and OERs, respectively. Professor Madhu Parhar, Director STRIDE, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi India