Introduction

As I aim for higher education in college, preparing for the IELTS exam became a crucial step. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, "1,379,344,914 students or 80 percent of the world's learners are now being kept out of educational institutions by country-wide closures" (World Economic Forum, 2020). Vietnam, where I live, was not an exception, facing restrictions and school closures. This situation also made it difficult for me to access tutoring at teaching centers, and unfortunately my budget became tight, adding to my concerns. Similar to many students in Canada, "68 percent of participants were 'very' or 'extremely' concerned about using up savings" (Statistics Canada, 2020). In this challenging time, MOOCs became a savior, helping me save both time and money.

(Statistics Canada, 2020)

Preparing for IELTS During the Pandemic

Three months before the exam, I enrolled in an affordable IELTS preparation course in Nha Trang City, which required a one-hour commute to my aunt's place, who is an excellent teacher. Unfortunately, due to lockdowns, I couldn't travel to learn from her. Although she organized some online virtual classes, I still didn't feel confident enough to ace the exam.

(McCarthy, 2020)

Discovering MOOCs

MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) became a beacon of hope. As defined by a YouTube video, "a MOOC is a course, it's open, it's participatory, it's distributed and it supports lifelong networked learning" (Cormier, 2010, 1:00). I discovered MOOCs while searching for IELTS resources online. Influencers recommended several reputable YouTube channels offering free courses and books. Their recommendations convinced me that I could excel in my IELTS exam using these resources.

(Learn With Sam And Ash, 2021)

(IELTS Liz, 2014)

(IELTS Advantage, 2023)

Overcoming Challenges with MOOCs

I primarily used YouTube, which provided not only video courses but also slides and workbooks to practice the theory learned from MOOCs. Despite the statistic that "among all MOOC participants, 3.13 percent completed their courses in 2017-18" (Inside Higher Ed, 2019), I persevered. The absence of traditional motivation factors like deadlines, teachers, and friends made it challenging, but the pressure of the upcoming IELTS exam kept me going. Additionally, I chose IELTS and my transcript as a way to enroll in college, using the grade from the national Vietnam exam solely to graduate from high school.

The Broader Impact of MOOCs on My Education

The broader impact of MOOCs on my education during the pandemic was significant. Without technology and the generosity of people willing to share their courses online, I don't think I could have made it through. This experience has shaped my views on online learning and education technology, highlighting their potential to democratize education and provide opportunities even in the most challenging times.

Conclusion 🥰🥰🥰

In summary, the use of MOOCs, particularly YouTube, during the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on my IELTS preparation and educational journey. It allowed me to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic, save money, and eventually succeed in my exam. This experience underscored the importance of online learning platforms and their role in shaping the future of education.

    REFERENCES

    Bielefeld, K. (2018, August 28). [Image showing a concept map of MOOCs]. Mimio Blog. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://blog.mimio.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/MOOCBlog.jpg?width=1536&name=MOOCBlog.jpg

    Cormier, D. (2010, December 8). What is a MOOC? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW3gMGqcZQc

    IELTS Advantage. (2023, March 23). IELTS Advantage [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2OGWFVerXg&list=PLWWR_9t3vo3NBzWlP7PtoYZxZzhyD8c07

    IELTS Liz. (2014, September 9). IELTS Liz [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61izqh7ZBww&list=PLOSo0A8ngEXUYH1yBcpEdpQafYzV-xS0x

 Inside Higher Ed. (2019). Study offers data to show MOOCs didn't achieve their goals. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/article/2019/01/16/study-offers-data-show-moocs-didnt-achieve-their-goals

    Learn With Sam And Ash. (2021, August 26). Learn With Sam And Ash. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzps8q2es7c

    McCarthy, N. (2020, March 24). [Image showing the impact of COVID-19 on global education]. Statista. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/chart/21224/learners-impacted-by-national-school-closures/

    Statistics Canada. (2020). How are postsecondary students in Canada impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2020032-eng.htm

   Statistics Canada. (2020, May 12). [Image showing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on postsecondary students]. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2020032-eng.htm

    World Economic Forum. (2020). This chart shows how much COVID-19 has impacted education. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/03/infographic-covid19-coronavirus-impact-global-education-health-schools/