Decoding Udemy: A Deep Dive into the Ideological Landscape of MOOCs

This chapter meticulously examines Udemy, unravelling the concealed ideologies permeating this popular online education platform. Udemy, often seen as a paragon of progressive ideals, is subjected to comprehensive scrutiny through a multifaceted analytical lens involving a Gramscian common sense framework, ideological criticism methodology, and the discernment of ideographs. Doing so elucidates the intricate ideological landscape underpinning Udemy, offering a guiding template for students and researchers alike when dissecting analogous subjects within the educational realm. The critical exploration unfolds in two pivotal segments, the first on Udemy’s homepage and the second on the ‘About Us’ page. Scrutinising the content and visual components presented to visitors, the chapter unveils implicit messages Udemy conveys about education and society. Scrutiny of Udemy’s homepage reveals a narrative emphasising self-reliance, self-interest, and self-directed learning, with a paramount focus on employability. Udemy’s unequivocal positioning as a hub for professional and technical skills accentuates practicality and monetary worth, emblematic of the overarching neoliberal trend in education.