The Tolerable Contradictions of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and the Potential Role of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Abstract

In tribute to Alan M. Thomas (1998) and his book chapter entitled “The Tolerable Contradictions of Prior Learning Assessment,” this article explores the tolerable contradictions of the explosive trend in open learning: Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). There is significant potential in synergies that can be made between MOOCs and the PLA community. This article explores the potential role of prior learning assessment as a mechanism to recognize formal academic credit from MOOCs and the implications for practice.

Keywords: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs); Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR); Disruptive Innovation; Open Education Resource (OER)