This white paper by Li Yuan and Stephen Powell, published by JISC CETIS, explores the implications of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for higher education. The report aims to help decision-makers in higher education institutions understand the phenomenon of MOOCs and their potential impact on educational policies and institutions. Key points include: 1. **Focus of the Report**: The report provides an overview of MOOCs, their history, and key features, placing them in the context of open education and online learning. It also discusses the motivations for MOOC providers and learners, and the business models associated with MOOCs. 2. **Making Sense of MOOCs**: MOOCs are described as a recent online learning phenomenon that offers free access to university-level education. They are characterized by open access and scalability, but face challenges such as sustainability, pedagogy, quality, and completion rates. 3. **Analysis of MOOC-Style Open Education Initiatives**: The report analyzes recent initiatives, including platforms like edX, Coursera, Udacity, Udemy, P2PU, and Khan Academy. It highlights the motivations for these initiatives, which include expanding access, experimentation, and branding. 4. **Issues and Challenges for MOOCs**: The report addresses sustainability, pedagogy, quality, and completion rates. It notes concerns about the self-selected nature of MOOC participants and the need for sustainable business models. 5. **MOOCs as Disruptive Innovations**: The theory of disruptive innovation is used to explain how MOOCs could disrupt existing higher education models. The report discusses the potential for MOOCs to transform higher education and the need for institutions to respond strategically. 6. **Implications for Higher Education**: The report explores the drivers and trends towards open education, including globalization, increasing demand for higher education, and changing learner demographics. It also examines the implications for educational policy and the need to rethink funding models, degree provision, and quality assurance. 7. **Conclusion**: The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of openness in driving educational innovation and transforming higher education. It suggests that MOOCs can provide opportunities for institutions to explore new pedagogical practices and business models, while also posing challenges that require strategic responses. Overall, the report provides a comprehensive analysis of MOOCs and their potential impact on higher education, offering insights for decision-makers to navigate the evolving landscape of online learning.This white paper by Li Yuan and Stephen Powell, published by JISC CETIS, explores the implications of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for higher education. The report aims to help decision-makers in higher education institutions understand the phenomenon of MOOCs and their potential impact on educational policies and institutions. Key points include: 1. **Focus of the Report**: The report provides an overview of MOOCs, their history, and key features, placing them in the context of open education and online learning. It also discusses the motivations for MOOC providers and learners, and the business models associated with MOOCs. 2. **Making Sense of MOOCs**: MOOCs are described as a recent online learning phenomenon that offers free access to university-level education. They are characterized by open access and scalability, but face challenges such as sustainability, pedagogy, quality, and completion rates. 3. **Analysis of MOOC-Style Open Education Initiatives**: The report analyzes recent initiatives, including platforms like edX, Coursera, Udacity, Udemy, P2PU, and Khan Academy. It highlights the motivations for these initiatives, which include expanding access, experimentation, and branding. 4. **Issues and Challenges for MOOCs**: The report addresses sustainability, pedagogy, quality, and completion rates. It notes concerns about the self-selected nature of MOOC participants and the need for sustainable business models. 5. **MOOCs as Disruptive Innovations**: The theory of disruptive innovation is used to explain how MOOCs could disrupt existing higher education models. The report discusses the potential for MOOCs to transform higher education and the need for institutions to respond strategically. 6. **Implications for Higher Education**: The report explores the drivers and trends towards open education, including globalization, increasing demand for higher education, and changing learner demographics. It also examines the implications for educational policy and the need to rethink funding models, degree provision, and quality assurance. 7. **Conclusion**: The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of openness in driving educational innovation and transforming higher education. It suggests that MOOCs can provide opportunities for institutions to explore new pedagogical practices and business models, while also posing challenges that require strategic responses. Overall, the report provides a comprehensive analysis of MOOCs and their potential impact on higher education, offering insights for decision-makers to navigate the evolving landscape of online learning.