MOOCs as a means of continuing professional development for LIS educators in India

Abstract

The research study explored how massive open online courses (MOOCs), can be used as continuing professional development and to what extent the concept of MOOC is penetrated & utilized by Indian LIS educators. The descriptive survey research design using structured web questionnaire as instrument for data collection. The study found that MOOCs may offer LIS educators an opportunity to upgrade their skills or further their education. It throws light on their perceptions of the benefits and challenges of adoption of MOOCs for continuing professional development. The major benefits of MOOCs were that they help in professional and personal learning. On the other hand, the major professional challenges were basically not able to spend time to watch lectures and participate in online discussions, quizzes, and assignments, whereas half of the respondents was not able to integrate MOOC schedule into their existing work and personal schedule. The outcomes of present research will motivate LIS educators to overcome the challenges, and undertake and design MOOCs in LIS.