Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) began with the idea of connecting for learning via personal learning environments (PLEs) using blogs, wikis, google groups, and Moodle.
According to Wikipedia, the term MOOC is said to have started in 2008 by Dave Cormier and Bryan Alexander "in response to an open online course designed and lead by George Siemens and Stephen Downes" (wikipedia).

However, MOOCs have changed from the idea of connecting with others for learning to the more traditional content delivery format as demonstrated by Khan's Academy, MIT's and Standford.

The presenter has participated in MOOCs since 2008. She will discuss the transition of the MOOC from having an active learning format to what they are today - content sharing and teaching to the masses.