Using online courses at an agrotechnological university

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to carry out the quantitative analysis of online courses in various thematic areas, which are located on Ukrainian platforms of massive open online courses (Prometheus, EdEra, OUM). On the basis of the analysis, systematization and generalization of theoretical data, the advantages and weaknesses of the MOOC use in the educational process of higher school and lifelong education are revealed. As of May 2023, they offer 558 online courses on various topics, 80 (14.3%) of which are paid. The authors found out that on Ukrainian online platforms the number of online courses have increased over the past three years compared to the previous six years. Most of the courses are located on Prometheus online platform (376 courses, 67%). All of the Ukrainian online platforms have the same courses such as “IT”, “Civic Education”, “Healthcare”, and “Psychology”. It was found that Ukrainian MOOC can provide advanced training in most disciplines of general training which is outlined in educational programmers of agrarian and food technologies specialties. In further research, we plan to research the possibility of accepting certificates proving the completion of online courses as an element of non-formal education when studying certain academic disciplines.