Messing with MOOCs

Michael Rees

@mreesmichaelrees.tel

Talk resources at talks.michaeljrees.com

June 2012 Messing with MOOCs 2

Massive

Open

Online

Courses

June 2012 Messing with MOOCs 3

• As many as 150,000

Massive

• Anyone of any age

Open

• Internet access, free

Online

• High-profile, professional presenters from high-profile institutions

Courses

MOOC Features

Heavy reliance on many, short videos

Several online quizzes per unit

Weekly homework, exercises

Help via traditional online forums, peer mentoring

Office hours videos for direct feedback

Statement, certificate of completion

June 2012 Messing with MOOCs 4

Udacity CS253 Web Apps Engineering

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Interactive coding for assessment

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Homework

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Coursera CS101

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Outlook for MOOCs

Industry Acceptance• Replace

degrees?• If not, what

value?

Effective Learning• Rely on self-

discipline• Cheating is easy• Allow upskilling

and career change

Business Case• Can free MOOCs

be sustainable• How much would

you pay?

June 2012 Messing with MOOCs 9