MOOC format continues to make waves...

"Day of the MOOC" by mbransons

The MOOC (Massive Open Online Couse) format continues to make waves due to the excitement that its reach and innovative use of new internet technologies generates. MOOCs have been around for over 5 years and their popularity among practitioners and theorists, as well as academic institutions, seems to continue growing. More data, statistics and thoughts have been collected since last summer, when CALMet Commons hosted our article about MOOCs (How much OOOO in your MOOC?). That is also why we decided to update it. We are happy to share that the refined version of the article was recently published in the academic journal for distance education - Form@re, edited by University of Florence.

The second version explores even more current trends in MOOC offerings, questioning the pedagogical value of the new implementations, but also appreciating their rapid growth and potential impact. The article suggests that MOOCs should be adopted with conscious and deliberate intent to utilize the openness the form allows, and not simply because they reach more students.

For Italian speaking readers, if you are interested in MOOCs and OER the last issue of Form@re offers other valuable articles.

How much Oooo in your MOOC?

Is a MOOC a refreshing ice cream drink or a candy brand? Have you tasted one yet? When somebody says this name, the first thing that comes to mind are ‘krówki’ (little cows), polish caramel fudge candies, not an online course. We have also suspected that people just like to say MOOC because it makes them feel feel like they are about to send a kiss.:) One of the authors of the original concept, George Siemens, has admitted recently that the name is unfortunate.

"There are many reasons to not like MOOCs (including the elite university models, poor pedagogy, blindness to decades of learning sciences research, and just a bad name)."

Is My Course a MOOC?

MOOC is an acronym for Massive Open Online Course. The term suggests only an educational delivery format, but read on...

A course designed following the MOOC format has to

• be technically able to handle a large number of students (Massive)
• have an open enrollment, free to anyone with access and free from any prerequisites (Open, but see more on openness below)
• be offered via online distance learning technologies (Online)
• have a definable topic, a goal to stimulate learning, a pace, and a beginning and end (making it a Course)

While the concept generates excitement (massive things are exciting, after all) it also receives a lot of criticism.