MOOC Courses During the Pandemic

 

Over 2020 I started or continued courses from Coursera.  "Learning How to Learn " and "Design Thinking" were useful choices for my quest to add new knowledge about the continuing evolution of MOOC courses, especially during a year when new options for learning online in education, healthcare and workforce development became so important. 

Sharing a MOOC that builds consumer skills

I completed a new MOOC,  a "teach-out" to help consumers identify the range of fake news and build skills to understand how news is produced.  In four hours, this MOOC helped me learn how to differentiate between fabrications and main stream news evolving in a digital world.

Times have changed!  How do we understand accuracy when the consumer now creates content.  Is it "click worthy" and credible?

Now, the consumer must evaluate the sources and not be conned.  Don't trust anything and evaluate good work and share it.

So, here is the good work:
https://www.edx.org/course/fake-news-facts-alternative-facts-michiganx-teachout-2x

MOOC Completion Certificate

Recently, I completed a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) by EdX called "Design and Development of Games for Learning".  I expected to browse the structure of the MOOC since I'm interested in understanding how games may motivate learning.  I didn't intend to finish the course and indicated in the pre survey that one hour per week would be my time limit.

Then I got hooked on the course, enjoying taking an MIT course from a real MIT professor.  The outcome for the course was designing my own learning game and sharing it with the other learners.  The other learners seemed to have different goals for the course from understanding learning games to actually designing games for others.  Everyone was helpful in providing feedback.

So, I completed the course, going from one hour per week to 4 hours because I was falling behind and I wanted to keep up.  More importantly, I was motivated to receive a Certificate of Completion from MIT.  The certificate is now hanging proudly on my LinkedIn profile.  I paid $40 for a verified certificate, the course was free.

Of course, the certificate only indicates completion of course activities.  My competency in designing learning games is not in consideration.

The good news about MOOCs is you now have an opportunity to learn for free from high quality courses offered through institutions such as MIT.  

"Staying the Course" in #CDMOOC

“Staying the Course” in #CDMOOC

MOOC completion rates are less than 10% so I’m always curious when I find a MOOC that engages my attention.  Well, I’m still participating, not lurking, and I’m in the second week of Carpe Diem:  Learning Design, #CDMOOC.  

What is so eye-catching about this MOOC? Is it because I’m working in a small group, the Seahorses?  Is it because our group has a Sherpa to keep us headed in the right direction?  Is it because I’m actively using the learning design process in my own work?

MOOC to Manage Change

I’m following a new MOOC now in progress called Managing Change in Community Development.  So far 158 members worldwide. 

This is my third MOOC to follow.  What does “follow” mean?  I check out how the MOOC is structured.  I check out how participants engage with each other.  Mainly, my self-directed learning revolves around how technology works or does not work to improve my learning.  

The first MOOC I followed was MobiMOOC12, and I did participate and complete the course.  The first MOOC is considered a cMOOC since it is constructivist in approach.  Experts present live and recorded webinars available on You Tube. Interaction is encouraged through discussions around the expert webinars.  Learners work on individual projects with feedback from each other. 

The second MOOC would be considered an xMOOC.  The course “How to Build a Start Up” on Udacity is backed by higher education experimentation.  A high profile expert, Steve Blank is the instructor.  Really great videos by Steve Blank are followed by quizzes to test knowledge of skills.  A discussion on site covers topics of interest to the learners.  So, why do I not complete this course?  I could get a certificate and it is of interest to my non profit. 

The third MOOC is delivered on Google+.  The expert webinars are delivered live using Google Hangouts and recorded on You Tube.  The discussions to date are not organized around any topic.  This MOOC would also be considered a cMOOC.   The MOOC fills the need for a community of practice and a certificate is available.  At this point, I’m participating since I’m doing this blog, considered a weekly activity.  This MOOC is the least structured, but it is using simple tools that are available for free and could be accessed on many devices. 

To stay on top of all these MOOC changes, I’m reading Inge de Waard’s e-book, MOOC Yourself: Set up your own MOOC for business, non profits & informal communities (2013).   Check out the book to see how fast this new MOOC disruption is changing learning. 

Then, view the video to see where you fit into the MOOC revolution.  What kind of follower are you?

Technology can help...

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Udacity-Lean Launchpad Class Online

Now taking Lean Launchpad Class Online  through Udacity.  Udacity is a  MOOC with more structure than Mobimooc12.  Steve Blank's course features recorded video lectures and quizzes leading to a certificate in what a start up needs to learn about customer development and product development.

Student initiated discussions are available at the class site.  Tags help sort through discussions to relevant interests.  A student created a Linkedin group for further connection.

See the latest Steve Blank course:  Startup Weekend Next.