ONLINE COURSES OF NON-FORMAL EDUCATION: NEW OPPORTUNITIES OR EDUCATIONAL SPAM?

Abstract

The article is devoted to consideration of the essence of non-formal education, the development of which in modern realities is noted as very dynamic and active. Determining the content and features of the interpretation of non-formal education is necessary from the point of view of understanding and possibilities of evaluating its effectiveness and importance. In the system of components of non-formal education, the most dynamic development is characteristic of such elements as online courses, webinars, trainings, etc. It was determined that among the reasons for the active spread of non-formal education are: 1) its demand from the side of formal education in order to meet the accreditation criteria of educational programs; 2) purposeful actions of interested persons in discrediting the formal system of higher education; 3) quick result; 4) practically 24/7 availability; 5) the coronavirus pandemic, pandemic restrictions and the formal education system's unpreparedness for them.

The article focuses on open online courses, the value and usefulness of which, in the opinion of the author, are significantly exaggerated. This is because most courses do not offer quality content, largely duplicating the content of traditional courses taught in the formal education system.

At the same time, the article substantiates the conditions for the development of an effective online course, which include: 1) unique content; 2) high-quality, unique and relevant to the content of lectures tasks for test control; 3) involvement of well-known and popular people in the industry in video lectures; 4) combined use of video lectures and SCORM technologies; 5) determination of the actual cost of time required to complete the course and, accordingly, the indication of this time in the certificate based on the results. These recommendations are necessary in order to «screen out» the «certificate hunters» from taking the courses and leave only highly motivated students who will feel the real marginal benefit from taking each online course.