Coursera
Overview
Coursera is an American massive open online course (MOOC) provider founded in 2012 by Stanford University computer science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller. Coursera works with universities and other organizations to offer online courses, certifications, and degrees in a variety of subjects.
History
Coursera was founded by Stanford University computer science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller. The idea for the platform was conceived when the two professors experimented with offering their courses online. The success of this experiment led to the creation of Coursera.
Business Model
Coursera operates on a freemium business model. Most courses are available for free, but some features, such as graded assignments and course certificates, require a fee. Coursera also offers full degree programs in partnership with universities, for which tuition is charged.
Partnerships
Coursera partners with universities and organizations around the world to provide its courses. These partners include top-tier universities such as Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Michigan, as well as industry leaders like IBM and Google.
Courses
Coursera offers courses in a wide range of subjects, including computer science, business, data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, social sciences, and language learning. Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes, and projects.
Specializations and Degrees
In addition to individual courses, Coursera offers specializations and degrees. Specializations are series of related courses designed to help learners gain mastery in a specific topic. Degrees are full programs of study, offered in partnership with universities, that can lead to an undergraduate or graduate degree.
Platform Features
Coursera's platform features include video lectures, reading materials, quizzes, peer-reviewed assignments, and discussion forums. The platform also supports a mobile application, allowing learners to study on the go.
Impact and Reception
Coursera has been widely recognized for its role in making high-quality education accessible to a global audience. However, it has also faced criticism for issues related to the quality of its courses and the effectiveness of its learning model.