MOOC instructor designs and challenges: what can be learned from existing MOOCs in Indonesia and Malaysia? (original) (raw)
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Online Learning, 2018
As massive open online courses (MOOCs) increase, the large scale and heterogeneity of MOOC participants bring myriad significant design challenges. This exploratory mixed methods study explores 143 MOOC instructors’ considerations and challenges in designing MOOCs; 12 of whom were interviewed and had their courses analyzed. The survey, interview, and course review data revealed a variety of considerations and challenges in MOOC design in terms of pedagogy, resources, and logistics. Pedagogical considerations included learning objectives, assessment methods, course length, course content, flexibility, and collaborative learning support. Resource considerations included the affordance of MOOC platforms, support from the host institution and the platform, and the available intellectual and hardware resources. Logistical considerations included the amount of time instructors spent designing the MOOC. The obstacles included pedagogical challenges (e.g., engaging learners, increasing learner interaction, and limited assessment methods), resource challenges (e.g., limitations associated with the affordances of the platform), and logistical challenges (e.g., time limitations for designing and developing MOOCs). To address these challenges, the instructors often relied on reviewing other MOOCs. They also sought help from colleagues, their universities, and support personnel of the adopted platforms. Keywords: massive open online courses (MOOCs), instructional design, design considerations, design challenges, MOOC instructors
Instructors’ Experience of Designing MOOCs in Higher Education: Considerations and Challenges
Online Learning, 2018
As massive open online courses (MOOCs) increase, the large scale and heterogeneity of MOOC participants bring myriad significant design challenges. This mixed methods study explores 143 MOOC instructors’ considerations and challenges in designing MOOCs; 12 of whom were interviewed and had their courses analyzed. The survey, interview, and course review data revealed a variety of considerations and challenges in MOOC design in terms of pedagogy, resources, and logistics. Pedagogical considerations included learning objectives, assessment methods, course length, course content, flexibility, and collaborative learning support. Resource considerations included the affordance of MOOC platforms, support from the host institution and the platform, and the available intellectual and hardware resources. Logistical considerations included the amount of time instructors spent designing the MOOC. The obstacles included pedagogical challenges (engaging students, increasing student interaction, a...
2018
As massive open online courses (MOOCs) increase, the large scale and heterogeneity of MOOC participants bring myriad significant design challenges. This exploratory mixed methods study explores 143 MOOC instructors’ considerations and challenges in designing MOOCs, 12 of whom were interviewed and had their courses analyzed. The survey, interview, and course review data revealed a variety of considerations and challenges in MOOC design in terms of pedagogy, resources, and logistics. Pedagogical considerations included learning objectives, assessment methods, course length, course content, flexibility, and collaborative learning support. Resource considerations included the affordance of MOOC platforms, support from the host institution and the platform, and the available intellectual and hardware resources. Logistical considerations included the amount of time instructors spent designing the MOOC. The obstacles included pedagogical challenges (e.g., engaging learners, increasing lear...
Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 2021
The study aimed to explore the challenges perceived by the instructors during the designing and development of MOOCs in India. The data was collected through a mailed questionnaire with the help of Google form. A total of 79 respondents were involved across India. Descriptive research design was used for this particular study. The study revealed that content development (2.48) was perceived as a big challenge by the instructors because most of the content was available in video form. Learners’ engagement (2.33) was found as the second most important challenge perceived by the instructors. Other important challenges were time pressure during the development of MOOCs (2.20); moderating discussion forum (2.11) and technical competency (2.06). It can be concluded that among all parameters content development is hectic and the most challenging. One can be more effective in content development when others parameters like technical competency, discussion forum etc. are tackled properly so ...
2019
This mixed methods study explores instructor motivations for offering massive open online courses (MOOCs) as well as the instructional innovations used to enhance the MOOC design. The researchers surveyed 143 MOOC instructors worldwide and then interviewed 12 of these instructors via Zoom. They also extensively reviewed the MOOCs of the interviewees. The primary motivations for offering MOOCs included "growth" needs such as curiosity about MOOCs and the exploration of new ways of teaching. In addition, "relatedness" needs of instructors included reaching more people, showcasing research and teaching, marketing their university, integrating interactive technology, and obtaining peer reviews. The perceived instructional innovations of these MOOC instructors included using problem-based learning, service learning in MOOCs, and shortening the length of videos. Overall, these MOOC instructors were satisfied with their MOOC designs. Résumé Cette étude faisant appel à des méthodes mixtes explore les motivations des instructeurs de cours en ligne ouverts à tous ainsi que les innovations pédagogiques utilisées pour améliorer la conception de ces cours. Les chercheurs ont procédé au sondage de 143 instructeurs de cours en ligne ouverts à tous à travers le monde et ont ensuite interviewé 12 de ces instructeurs par l'entremise de Zoom. Ils ont également réalisé un examen approfondi des cours en ligne ouverts à tous des instructeurs interviewés. Les motivations principales pour l'offre de cours en ligne ouverts à tous comprenaient des besoins relatifs à la « croissance », comme la curiosité au sujet de ces cours et l'exploration de nouvelles façons d'enseigner. De plus, les désirs relationnels des instructeurs comprenaient joindre plus de gens, mettre en lumière la recherche et l'enseignement, publiciser leur université, intégrer la technologie interactive et obtenir des évaluations par les pairs. Les innovations pédagogiques perçues par ces instructeurs de cours en ligne ouverts à tous CJLT/RCAT Vol. 45(1) MOOC Instructor Motivations, Innovations, and Designs 2 comprenaient l'utilisation de l'apprentissage par résolution de problèmes, de l'apprentissage par le service dans les cours en ligne ouverts à tous et la durée écourtée des vidéos. Dans l'ensemble, les instructeurs de cours en ligne ouverts à tous étaient satisfaits de leur conception de cours.
Theories and Applications of Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs): The Case for Hybrid Design
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This paper described the experience of developing a MOOC at An Najah National University and how it was transferred into a SPOC from the perspective of its team developers. Learners' responses and participation had been analyzed in order to understand its content. The data collected described the motivation for developing the MOOC and then using it as a SPOC, in addition to presenting the challenges that face its development and implementation. The development of the MOOC Genetic and Society at An Najah National University went through different stages starting from offering the course to students face to face and then developing the course online and then preparing it as a MOOC, finally using it as a SPOC to student university. The findings showed the main motives for developing the MOOC such as the well to increase the online Arabic content in this area. The main challenge that faced the course designers was the lack of technical support. The paper recommends developing more M...
Characteristics of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): A Research Review, 2009-2012
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This review of research explores characteristics associated with massive open online courses (MOOCs). Three key characteristics are revealed: varied definitions of openness, barriers to persistence, and a distinct structure that takes the form as one of two pedagogical approaches. The concept of openness shifts among different MOOCs, models, researchers, and facilitators. The high dropout rates show that the barriers to learning are a significant challenge. Research has focused on engagement, motivation, and presence to mitigate risks of learner isolation. The pedagogical structure of the connectivist MOOC model (cMOOC) incorporates a social, distributed, networked approach and significant learner autonomy that is geared towards adult lifelong learners interested in personal or professional development. This connectivist approach relates to situated and social learning theories such as social constructivism (Kop, 2011). By contrast, the design of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence (AI) model (xMOOC) uses conventional directed instruction in the context of formal postsecondary educational institutions. This traditional pedagogical approach is categorized as cognitive-behaviorist (Rodriguez, 2012). These two distinct MOOC models attract different audiences, use different learning approaches, and employ different teaching methods. The purpose of this review is to synthesize the research describing the phenomenon of MOOCs in informal and postsecondary online learning.