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Alain Hickey

Activity 14: Comparing MOOCs

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Edited by Alain Hickey, Thursday, 13 Apr 2017, 21:24

Compare either DS106 or Rhizomatic Learning with offerings from FutureLearn or Coursera.

TECHNOLOGY / PEDAGOGY / GENERAL APPROACH AND PHILOSOPHY

I checked out DS106 first and was really impressed. I feel it is really innovative in its learning theories e.g. connectivism in which 'doing' collaboration and creating are all valued aspects of active learning.

I then checked out an English language course on FutureLearn and could see how it kept more to the ideas of traditional learning with video lectures and reading content. However, there was an open forum that could be used to discuss ideas between participants but not much creative group work tasks. 

Finally, I also had to sign up for FutureLearn but didn't for DS106 which uses the web as a personal learning network (PLN) in which people start by following each other on social media. I think DS106 is a super idea and I'm going to give it a go myself!

REFERENCES

Stacey, P. (2013) ‘The pedagogy of MOOCs’, Musings on the edtech frontier, 11 May [Online]. Available at http://edtechfrontier.com/ 2013/ 05/ 11/ the-pedagogy-of-moocs/ (Accessed 8 November 2016).



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Andrew Windram

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Hi Alain

What were your thought about the structure and navigability of DS106?  Pedagogically do you think that the structure encourages completion of the MOOC or would student success be defined in a different way? 

Regards, Andrew

Alain Hickey

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Thanks for the comment Andrew.

I think student success on DS106 is defined more by the gaining of knowledge and skills through the experience of doing the assignments so completion is probably only important for the students who are doing it as part of the official certificate module with the university it is related to.

Cheers, Alain


Gorwel Owen

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Could you keep us posted about your DS106 experience, Alain?

Alain Hickey

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Yes, will do Gorwel.

Cheers...