Open online courses, often referred to as MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), made popular by students interested in online and distance learning, are designed to encourage wide participation and provide equal access to learning for students anywhere in the world with an Internet connection. While some MOOCs have fees, most are free and meant to be accessible.
In Azerbaijan, high school students regularly visit the EducationUSA office to learn more about attending college or university in the United States. Recently, EducationUSA Azerbaijan and the University of Pennsylvania launched an MOOC exclusively for Azerbaijani students interested in applying to a US college or university. The course, Applying to US Universities was funded by the University of Pennsylvania and hosted by the US-Azerbaijan Education Center.
This MOOC gave six Azerbaijani students the opportunity to experience the American education system through a five-week online course, which featuring videos, including one from Penn's Admissions Specialist Erick Hyde who discussed the admissions process and academic qualifications. Other topics included researching US universities, and understanding deadlines, application forms, and other required documentation for international students. Each session was reinforced by an in-person discussion with an EducationUSA advisor, who shared practical tips about the application process.
Additionally, the course introduced Azerbaijani students to information on available scholarships. With over 4,700 higher education institutions in the US, the online course focused on helping students interested in studying in the US decide which college or university would be the best fit for their educational goals. Nearly all of the participants are currently applying to US colleges.
About EducationUSA
EducationUSA is a US Department of State network of over 400 internationally based student advising centers in over 170 countries. The EducationUSA network promotes US higher education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about opportunities to study at accredited postsecondary institutions in the US