teaching tips Associate Editors: Diane M. Billings, EdD, RN, FAAN, ANEF Karren Kowalski, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN Author: Diane M. Billings, EdD, RN, FAAN, ANEF

Understanding Massively Open Online Courses

abstract Massively open online courses (MOOCs) are an innovative delivery system for educational offerings. MOOCs have been hailed with optimism for making education accessible to many, but at the same time, they have been criticized for poor participant completion rates. Nurse educators are considering whether and how to use MOOCs; this column explains MOOCs and their advantages and disadvantages for nurse educators. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2014;45(2):58-59.

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massively open online course (MOOC) is an educational delivery platform that is massive— it has no limits to enrollment, it is open to anyone who wishes to participate, it is offered online, and it is a course with learning goals, learning activities, feedback, assessments, and evaluation of learning outcomes. MOOC platforms are being developed by several commercial vendors (Sidebar) and universities. MOOCs, like online courses, are designed by educators and include

course materials such as a syllabus, reading materials, assignments, quizzes, interactive learning activities, ongoing assessments, and end-ofcourse evaluations of learning outcomes. The course and subsequent modules, or lessons, are jump-started with a short video lecture or webinar, followed by activities to enhance concepts and learning. Within the software, there are capabilities for online discussion, crowdsourced interaction, and feedback from the instructor and peers. An enhanced tool set facilitates small-group work and peer evaluation of written work for feedback and grading. Participation can be authenticated with a digital thumbprint, and examinations can be proctored with online videos. Learning analytic software tracks users’ paths through the course and their responses to questions and assignments; results provide data for course revision. MOOCs can be offered fully online or blended with face-to-face activities. Some students organize their own face-to-face meetings and study groups to enhance their learning in the MOOC. Unlike online courses, MOOCs are designed to be used with varying degrees of engagement in the course.

Dr. Billings is Chancellor’s Professor Emeritus, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, Indiana. The author has disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise. Address correspondence to Diane M. Billings, EdD, RN, FAAN, ANEF, Chancellor’s Professor Emeritus, Indiana University School of Nursing, 1111 Middle Drive, NU 346, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5107; e-mail: [email protected]. doi:10.3928/00220124-20140124-14

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For example, a participant can enroll in the course, browse the material, read or watch selected aspects of the content, and then terminate participation. However, others will complete all learning activities and take the examinations that are required to receive a certificate or course credit. The pricing structure varies, depending on the level of engagement, and can range from no cost to full tuition. Typically, earning a certificate or contact hours requires completion of most course activities and attainment of minimal course competencies. A CHANGING MODEL OF EDUCATION MOOCs are changing the face of higher education by making education available to all. The courses are learner-centered, as participants can choose how much or how little they wish to learn about the topic and what type of documentation (i.e., certificate or course credit) they wish to receive for participation. Some schools leverage the course development by offering the same course for academic credit, a certificate, or contact hours, depending on the learner’s needs. In another model, a series of courses comprising a degree are bundled at one price, which costs less than taking each course separately; the student is then expected to complete the entire degree in the sequence offered. MOOCs also change the role of the educator, who becomes a course designer, course facilitator and moderator, and manager of learning. Copyright © SLACK Incorporated

MOOCs are offered by various organizations, including universities and non-profit and for-profit education providers. MOOCs have received attention in the press because prestigious colleges and universities worldwide are offering these courses, which are also changing the process and financial model of higher education. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES Advantages The primary draw of MOOCs is the fact that the courses are open to all, thus reducing barriers to excellent education and democratizing learning. Participants also have access to master teachers and content experts, many of who are from prestigious universities. Participants may also interact with classmates from around the world. The focus of the MOOC is on the needs of learners, and learners choose how much or how little participation they need to invest to meet personal goals. Disadvantages As in the early days of online courses, there are many unknowns about the effective design and use

of MOOCs. Development costs will be a barrier for many schools and education providers. To date, completion rates have been low, with often only 10% of enrollees completing the course. Critics also cite the devaluing of student– faculty interaction and face-to-face engagement. For faculty, there are issues of workload and intellectual property rights that must be considered. How course credits will be awarded or accepted by a degreegranting institution, as well as accreditation issues, must also be solved. Finally, establishing a viable and sustainable financial model remains a challenge. CONCLUSION MOOCs offer opportunities for nurse educators and providers of continuing education to offer short or full credit courses. Several nursing schools, such as Duke University and Johns Hopkins University, are testing the use of MOOCs by offering courses with timely topics in nursing practice. As evidence for best practices emerges, others may determine that MOOCs meet their needs for offering educational programming.

The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing · Vol 45, No 2, 2014

SIDEBAR

MASSIVELY OPEN ONLINE COURSES (MOOC) PROVIDERS AND PLATFORMS MOOC Provider

Website

Coursera

http://www.coursera.org

Udacity

http://www.udacity.com

edX

http://www.edX.org

READINGS EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative. (2011). 7 things you should know about MOOCs. Retrieved from http://www.educause. edu/library/resources/7-things-youshould-know-about-moocs Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Cummins, M., Estrada, V., Freeman, A., & Ludgate, H. (2013). NMC Horizon report: 2013 Higher education edition. Austin, TX: The New Media Consortium. Retrieved from http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2013-horizonreport-HE.pdf Skiba, D.J. (2012). Disruption in higher education: Massively open online courses (MOOCs). Nursing Education Perspectives, 33, 416-417. Skiba, D.J. (2013). MOOCs and the future of nursing. Nursing Education Perspectives, 34, 202-204.

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Understanding massively open online courses.

Massively open online courses (MOOCs) are an innovative delivery system for educational offerings. MOOCs have been hailed with optimism for making edu...
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