MOOCs, A Phenomenon with Many Faces: Success and Failures

The research presented analyses the application of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and its successes and failures so far. The authors discuss their different facets that emerged from their initial concept up to the implementation in the United States, Europe and Latin America. The article goes on with a short empirical and comparative study of the attention that the term “MOOCs” has received in different regions over the last five years. In what follows, the most deficient aspects of MOOCs and the resulting consequences will be extended and thus,contributes to explain the rise and fall of the MOOCs. The authors also evaluate factors which have been less discussed in the literature up to date, such as the form and design of their production and distribution processes, economic sustainability as well as prospects to create a global market for MOOCs.