Towards 16 Years of MOOCs in Malaysia: From Technology Trigger to Plateau of Productivity

As of 2024, it has been 16 years since the inception of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in 2008. Initially seen as significant disruptors of education, the hype surrounding MOOCs has fluctuated over time. While MOOCs have made significant contributions to global educational development, including in Malaysia, their journey has been marked by both successes and challenges. Early expectations were high, and MOOCs were incorporated into national education policies. However, over time, challenges related to implementation, content quality, instructor qualifications, financial constraints, and student motivation hindered its progress. This paper seeks to assess the comprehensive journey and current status of MOOCs in Malaysia, evaluating their acceptance and maturity over the past 16 years. The study employs a narrative review approach, combining content analysis of literature with insights derived from the authors' professional experience in MOOC implementation and development.