MOOCs to Bridge the Multilevel Digital Divide

Abstract

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) play a significant role in proliferating universal online education regardless of learners’ limitations and backgrounds. Regrettably, the MOOC movement has been challenged by the inequality in accessing essential digital technologies, known as the digital divide. Research has identified multiple forms of digital divide beyond the binary access difference. The evolving forms of the digital divide have been induced in MOOCs due to the access, skill, and outcomes gap, which drives a digital divide cycle. The concept of the multilevel digital divide in MOOCs is a rising concern that demands thoughtful actions by MOOCs stakeholders. This book chapter discusses the intertwined multilevel digital divide and MOOCs and proposes potential solutions to break the digital divide cycle and bridge the gap. Additionally, current MOOCs platforms have digital accessibility issues that hinder learners with disabilities from participating and can result in further inequalities. In order to address the accessibility issues, this chapter describes the application of web content accessibility guidelines and universal design for learning concepts that may assist associated people with MOOCs to bridge the digital divide and promote equitable MOOCs.