Navigating the Maze: A Multifaceted Exploration of Barriers to MOOC Implementation in Higher Education

Abstract

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are transforming the educational landscape worldwide. Many higher education institutions are adopting MOOCs to offer quality education to large numbers of learners. However, despite their potential, MOOCs face numerous barriers to their successful adoption and implementation into traditional higher education. This paper identifies eighty-eight MOOC-related barriers by reviewing existing literature in-depth using hermeneutics and data-driven qualitative content analysis. The eighty-eight barriers were grouped into five conceptual categories. i.e. Technological (T), Institutional (I), Pedagogical (P), Personal (P), and Socio-Cultural (S). The "TIPPS" framework was developed based on these five categories, identifying the key barriers that impede the adoption and implementation of MOOCs in higher education. The TIPPS framework will guide  HEI, policymakers, system developers, and scholars by providing a summary of MOOC barriers.