How do MOOCs work?

Profile image for Dhawal Shah

Written by Dhawal Shah Last updated on January 04th, 2024

Online courses, including MOOCs, are designed for an online audience, teaching primarily through short (5–20 mins) pre-recorded video lectures. You watch these videos on a self-paced or weekly schedule at any time of the day or night convenient for you.


MOOCs also have student discussion forums, homework/assignments, and online quizzes or exams.



Class Central also lists online courses that do not include discussion forums, graded items, and/or online quizzes or exams.

Class Central's Help Center represents our best effort to answer the most common questions new learners face. It may not be completely accurate in every circumstance.

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.