Non-financial Barriers to MOOC DevelopmentIf it’s easy, why isn’t everyone doing it?

Brian MulliganInstitute of Technology Sligo, Ireland.

Southern New Hampshire University, 13th Oct 2016University of Virginia, 17th Oct 2016Penn State University, 18th Oct 2016

moocs4all.eu

Are MOOCs Financially Sustainable?

• Survey of 27 UK universities– €40,485 average

• What about small target audiences?– Specialised topics– Minority languages– Changing technologies– Local needs

• Do they have to cost this much?

Why do universities spend so much on MOOCs?

• Quality of Learning?• Reputation?

Is the Coursera xMOOC pedagogy sophisticated?

Do people learn?

“I got exactly what I wanted from it and more….. a most enjoyable and educational course”

If a course is good enough for 30 students,

is it good enough for 3000 students?

Are high production values required?

“Unleash Online Learning to Address Global Inequality”

Mike Feerick, CEO of ALISONSXSW in Austin, Texas

• “Our universities and colleges, almost without exception, provide education and training that is too expensive”

• “We have been stopping people from educating themselves”• “free online informal learning becomes an integral part of any

hiring decisions”

moocs4all.eu

• Collection and dissemination of low-cost methods– Started 1 Feb 2015

• Website and Community Forum• MOOC: “Making MOOCs on a Budget”

– 3rd delivery – starting 18th Oct, 2016

The TeamInstitute of Technology, Sligo, IrelandTechnical University of Delft, HollandFachhochschule Bielefeld, Germany

University of Girona, SpainBath Spa University, UK

LoCoMoTion Project

Standard College Module

• 12 weeks x 2 x 1-hour lectures• Handouts• Lecturer and Peer support• 2 or 3 assignments• Final examination

50 x 15-minute recordings

Optional

online

Links to Open Educational ResourcesVia forums

Peer-assessed

Quizzes before class

Open as a MOOC

In class time?

Flipped!

Principles

• Real learning Not “glitz”• Some options are not possible• Reuse OER• Templates

– PPT, Quizzes, Peer assignment• Simple workflow for institutions

Video Content• Simple graphics (avoid animations)• Good microphone• Minimise editing

– Tolerate mistakes– Repeat sections– Leave audio clues for editing

Outputs to date

• Great feedback on MOOC• Impact not so good!

– Signups: 380– Completion: 20– MOOCs started construction ~5– MOOCs constructed ~2

Thanks

Why isn’t everyone making a MOOC?• Not that easy?• Too little time?• No desire to share?• No recognition?• Against institutional policy?• Can’t hear the message?Thanks for listening – over to you!

moocs4all.eumulligan.brian@itsligo.ie