Investigating Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS) Opportunities for Developing Countries: Case of Papua New Guinea

The proliferation of massive open online courses or MOOCs has proven disruptive to the traditional educational enterprise. While there is an on going debate about the future of MOOCs, it has already shown effective results for particular cohort of learners. This research investigates the adoption of MOOCs as a disruptive initiative in developing countries, and in particular in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The results from conducting in-depth interviews with PNG MOOC users and Australian based academics have been conducted. Findings suggest a framework with four dimensions: Intentional and Non-Intentional attributes distributed from a Systematic (disruptive) to Non-Systematic (nondisruptive) spectrum. Based on such finding, recommendations include generating awareness of MOOCs to educational institutions, investment in feasibility studies and engaging in established Australian institutions for long term partnership in MOOC development and deployment.