Massive Open Online Courses after the Hype: Towards a Global Strategic Action Field?

• In Event: 4366 - Section on Global and Transnational Sociology Refereed Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 11. Knowledge and Standards in the Global and Transnational Arena

Abstract

This paper analyzes the developments of the landscape of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC). Theoretically, we draw on the strategic action field approach and examine the question of whether a new global and digital strategic action field has emerged. Based on a self-generated dataset which includes all 161 MOOC providers that were established between 2011 and 2017, we show that there was an initial settlement with a rush of different kind of actors into the new social arena. There are also some indications for stabilization over time. For example, the number of providers offering MOOCs has been constant at around 100 since 2015. However, the social arena has not yet developed into a newly emerging strategic action field. One reason for this is the absence of internal government units that are essential for lasting stabilization and maintaining order in a field. Based on this research finding, we discuss some specific conditions and outcomes of emerging global and digital fields which are not sufficiently considered in the strategic action field approach.

Authors

• Otto Hüther, International Centre for Higher Education Research (INCHER-Kassel)

• Kosmützky K. Anna, Leibniz University Hanover