Why Facebook Should Implement MOOCs To Internet.org

2 minutes read

I received a solid guest post on one of my sites stating “everything wrong” with internet.org. However, that doesn’t stop me from seeing the benefits internet.org can bring to education and development. Internet.org is good news for people who can’t afford a glimpse of what the internet is like. It is also good news for people who don’t have access to education, or can’t afford it. Internet.org is free, MOOCs are free–it’d be awesome for both of them to run together.

Therefore, Facebook should work with big MOOCs providers to see that MOOCs are delivered through the internet.org’s platform.

What is internet.org?

It’s an initiative between Facebook, and several mobile phone companies, to provide an affordable internet access to the 2/3rds of the world (5 billion plus) not yet connected.

internet.org-MOOCs

Internet.org has been launched in countries such as: Zambia, Ghana, India, and more.

What are MOOCs?

MOOCs, short for Massive Open Online Courses, are aimed at an unlimited audience. They are free and offer individuals with just a computer and an internet access, the opportunity to take courses delivered by word-class institutions from the comfort of their homes, offices, etc.

MOOC providers offer a collection of free courses from different institutions with an interactive medium for learning.

For example: Coursera, a leading MOOC provider, offers users the opportunity to take courses on a range of subjects (business, humanities, etc). These courses are usually delivered by world-class institutions from different parts of the world.

Coursera also offers users the opportunity to gain a verified certificate after the successful completion of a course.

How MOOCs Improve Internet.org’s credibility

There is a high possibility that people who can’t afford the cost of an internet access, cannot also afford a quality education. MOOCs providers like edX and Coursera can enable people who use the internet.org app to have access to free online courses delivered by top universities, or colleges in the world.

I suggest Facebook should work with MOOC providers such as Coursera, Khan Academy, edX, FutureLearn, and more to make this a reality.

It’ll be a major boost to the credibility of internet.org.

 

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Giovanni O.C Olakunori

Giovanni Chinecherem Olakunle Olakunori(commonly known as Giovanni Olakunori) is an aspiring data scientist at heart, business developer and educator with a deep interest in ancient philosophy, healthy living, and developing economies. He’s the founder of LarnEdu, a community that inspires and supports lifelong learning especially in underdeveloped nations. He currently lives in the UK after living in 4 other countries across Europe and Africa. You can read more about him or follow him on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to see his public posts about how much he loves hot Kenkey and Jolof rice.

4 Responses

  1. MaryM says:

    I like your perspective Gio

  2. John B says:

    Great perspective! I’m impressed.

  3. I’ve read the other article. If Facebook is indeed interested in development. Education, and accessibility to the internet are major things that it should invest in with its internet.org initiative. MOOCs would be good with internet.org

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