MOOCs for Professional Teacher Development

A MOOC is a trending concept in education that is disrupting traditional methods of learning consumption. The emergence and use of MOOCs for professional teacher development is still uncommon, but on the verge of gaining a foothold. Research regarding MOOCs typically focuses on impacts for higher education and lifelong learning. However, the specific intersection of MOOCs and professional teacher development is poorly researched. This concept paper contemplates the benefits and drawbacks of using MOOCs for professional teacher development and calls for more practical studies and explorative research. This paper also speculates on the basic MOOC design criteria and principles needed to maximize engagement and course completion, which are currently common issues with general MOOCs. The conclusion is that MOOCs can be a costand resource-effective means to deliver quality education in order to further professional teacher development. However, possible risks are employers’ reluctance to accept MOOC accreditation as equivalent professional development and the lack of relevant MOOC courses for professional development.