Massive Open Online Courses (Moocs) and Massively Multiplayer Online Games(MMOGS): Synergies and Lessons to be Learned

Abstract

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have gained significant attention during the past few years. Although MOOCs are widely discussed as potential alternatives to traditional university courses, still there are several challenges for their pedagogically effective design. More specifically, MOOCs are facing the challenge of designing learner-centered online courses for the masses, rather than just providing open access to static educational resources. Thus, MOOCs’ design involves, among others, the pedagogically meaningful and effective handling of massive numbers of people and of massive volumes of educational resources. On the other hand, research in the educational exploitation of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) may provide valuable insights on issues such as engagement, commitment, learner connectedness, and the distributed resources. Within this framework, in this book chapter, we review the relevant literature and discuss possible synergies between MMOGs and MOOCs and lessons to be learned from these synergies.