Top 10 MOOC Resources On the Web

In today’s society, education is becoming increasingly important. It is almost impossible to get a job without an educated background or degree. Online courses are becoming more popular as a way to deliver knowledge directly to students, at a lower cost. For this reason, Massively Open Online Courses(MOOCs) are booming.

But, what exactly is a MOOC, and how can it benefit students looking to apply to college?

Simply stated, MOOCs are online courses that are structured similar to an actual college course, with assignments and lectures. The leading benefit of this kind of education is that MOOCs are free. Sometimes students have a desire to learn, but not necessarily the monetary ability to do so. Another benefit is that the online format allows MOOC students to take the course at their leisure, from wherever is convenient (as long as they have an internet connection).

So then how can YesCollege readers looking to get into and afford college benefit from MOOCs? Since you do not need to be a current college student to take them, it’s a great way to get a taste of what college-level courses are like. A few more potential benefits MOOCs can offer:

• Help in deciding on a major by getting first-hand knowledge of subjects
• Inspiration for an admissions essay – write about your experience with a MOOC
• Applying to a school that offers a MOOC? Take it and find out about the education you could receive
• Knowledge that can be helpful for standardized tests, exams, or general academia which can help you score better and get merit based scholarships

Bottom line: MOOCs offer a plethora of benefits and it’s well worth exploring. However, before diving into anything, it’s important to be aware of the best resources on the subject. Below, we’ve put together a short list of the five best resources for MOOCs.

1. Alison: This MOOC database has over five million different courses offered online. With a variety of different course subjects offered, this is one of the best resources to further your education.
2. Udacity: The mission of Udacity is to bring higher levels of education to the world. With access to different learning levels, this program allows students to learn at their own pace, as well as at their own difficulty level.
3. Coursera Blog: What would you say if we told you that you could take a class in a university without having to pay a penny? Well, that’s exactly what Coursera offers students. This site offers lectures from select universities to be available online for free!
4. edX: Being able to learn at your own pace is a benefit of this MOOC site. Students are able to take classes at their convenience and are able to choose from a variety of fields to study.
5. Udemy Blog: This MOOC site happens to be the world’s largest resource for online learning. It allows students to take a course in just about any field they want to learn about; technology, Photoshop, writing, etc.
6. MOOC Campus: MOOC Campus is the first residential campus for students who seek to learn online, and at their own pace. Being able to live on campus and take classes with other students allows for a more positive atmosphere and the ability to make networking connections.
7. Harvard Open Courses: Harvard University is one of the best in the country. Now offering students the MOOC resource, Harvard presents the opportunity to take some of their classes online. Though students will not receive college credit for these courses, they are completely free and open to the public!
8. ETMOOC: This is a MOOC resource that promotes students creating their own learning atmosphere. Though the site provides stability through direction and course set-up, students are encouraged to facilitate their own online space and networks.
9. Synaptic Global Learning: This site is beneficial to students because it allows their MOOCs to be mobile and personally customized. This promotes the student being able to choose the learning method that is best suited to their preferences.This MOOC also incorporates social networking sites, allowing students to learn together and easily communicate.
10. The Academic Financial Trading Platform: With a centrality on business-learning education, this MOOC offers students extensive knowledge of the business worlds, and stock market trading techniques.

It is clear to see that MOOCs are an excellent resource for students. Being able to take college-level courses for free is a reality, and one that is not being taken advantage of enough! Furthering one’s education makes you a better-rounded individual. You owe it to yourself to give yourself the best opportunities available.