Indira Gandhi National Open University
India
Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have strengthened the ways to achieve the goals of open and distance learning (ODL) systems, which are access, equity and quality. MOOCs can provide low-cost and high-quality education, including vocational and skill training, for the masses, especially in developing countries such as India, where educational resources are very limited. India has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with a huge productive workforce. However, it is facing problems in the supply of skilled human resource to meet the growing and dynamic demands of industry. In this scenario, the higher education sector in India is expected to provide large numbers of trained human resources to bridge the demand-supply gap. ODL systems have the potential to impart skills to the masses through technological interventions such as MOOCs. The purpose of this paper is to present the possibility of using MOOC for skill development in the Indian setting.
In India, the government is aiming to impart skill education to every corner of the country through the Indian version of the MOOC platform, which is known as SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds). It aims to provide learning opportunity to anyone, anytime and anywhere, thereby making the education inclusive in spirit. The SWAYAM initiative also aims to bridge the mismatch between existing and desirable employability skills among learners. In addition, it endeavours to move towards skill development and lifelong learning which is a major requirement for India given its massive workforce. SWAYAM is in its growth stage and has a long journey in contributing to the educational and training needs of millions of people. It has gained significant popularity and success, which is demonstrated by the huge enrolment (around 4.2 million) which is growing continuously. This paper discusses the pedagogical approaches of SWAYAM (MOOCs) based on a “four quadrant approach” for imparting skills. The paper also examines SWAYAM’s success factors and identifies its challenges.
The major challenges emerging from the study are the areas of policy, pedagogy and technology. On the basis of the finding, the researchers present a model of “skill development through MOOCs”.
The strategies for integrating SWAYAM for imparting skills are recommended. MOOCs have the potential for making education within everyone’s reach and the SWAYAM model can be replicated in other countries for imparting education in general and skill-based education in particular.
Massive open online courses (MOOCs) promote educational access, equity and quality, and provide low-cost and high-quality education, particularly in developing countries such as India.