Abstract:

For a long time, engaging and effective education appeared to be a problem that could only be solved using modern communication tools. This is also evidenced by the constantly emerging platforms used for e-learning. The importance of such e-learning platforms is growing and will continue to grow, as it is a modern element of education that can be used either in the form of pure e-learning or hybrid e-learning. However, in addition to advantages, e-learning also brings disadvantages. Education professionals are trying to find a platform with more advantages than disadvantages. Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are among the best-rated e-learning platforms. Their use is versatile, and their importance is growing every day.
This paper aims to outline the MOOC platform, its advantages and disadvantages, the level of use, as well as usability in individual subjects. The first part of the secondary research aims at the use of subjects whilst focusing on Art and Design, Business, Education and Teaching, Engineering, Health and Medicine, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences and Technology. Among other fields, the second part of secondary research summarises students' views on MOOC platforms, their costs for such courses, and the reason for interest and willingness to pay for these courses. The paper's added value is comparing MOOC platforms in Slovakia and abroad while focusing on technical requirements, the extent of coverage and costs.
Several universities were chosen for this comparison, e.g. the Delft University of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign, Coverty University, University of Michigan, University of Washington, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Deakin University. To conclude, the number of MOOC courses is growing yearly, and there are currently 13.5 thousand. Some of the most used subjects are Business, Technology and Social Sciences. On the contrary, Mathematics, Art and Design, Engineering, and Health and Medicine are the least used subjects. Through MOOCs, obtaining certificates and degrees and improving in multiple fields is possible. According to the research results, students choose MOOC courses mainly for unspecified personal reasons and not to gain extra school credit. The Coursera platform won the Reviews for 2019. Other robust platforms are EdX and FutureLearn. The top continents providing these courses are North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America.

Keywords:

Education, e-learning, MOOC, platform, advantages, disadvantages.