Module 4 Learning Activity: MOOCs

MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Course, it is a type of online course where many individuals around the world can access these courses. I decided to use the Coursera website as my MOOC provider. The topic I choose to study about is “ Introduction to Microsoft Excel.”

• The course is divided into four parts:
  • Project Overview: This is the introductory reading material.
  • Hands-on Project: The hands-on project that we will work on together
  • Graded Quiz: The final assignment you must pass to complete the project successfully was based on ten quizzes and multiple choices.  
  • Learner Survey: Tell us what you thought about this guided project! (1)

• How did this learning experience compare to ‘traditional’ courses? Consider any of the following factors:

• • Autonomy: I liked having a cloud desktop where I could work directly with the instructor and follow them. They teach us how to set up one. 
  • Connection with your peers and the instructor(s): I can do that through the community discussion form they provide, where I can ask questions or have an in-depth conversation 

• • assessment and evaluation:  the assessment was one quiz that contained ten questions. The passing grade is 80%, and I can get a certificate after passing the quiz.

• • Learning that was achieved: this course was introductory and basic knowledge of Excel. It was explained straightforwardly, and I need to repeat actions more than once to optimize my learning 

• • anything else: after completing the course, I get a certificate that I completed the course

• Do you think this MOOC would be considered an xMOOC or a cMOOC?
  • xMOOc is an Extended MOOC which represents courses that have predefined content, such as video lectures, quizzes and assignments where it is led by an instructor(2). 
  • cMOOC focuses more on social learning and encourages students to collaborate. It focuses on building a learning network and sharing knowledge(2)
  • The course I took through Coursera, “Introduction to Microsoft Excel,” is structured like xMOOC because I had an instructor that led the class, and I had a quiz as a way to assess my knowledge

• Based on your experiences, would you consider the MOOC that you completed to be “Open”? If so, in what sense of the word? If not, why not? 

• • Yes, I consider the course I took to be “ open “ because many students across the globe can access it, and it is also free.

Reflection

I chose “Introduction to Microsoft Excel” as a MOOC course because I wanted to experience an online class. The course aligned perfectly with my learning goals, offering a comprehensive introduction to Excel’s features. The nature of a MOOC allowed me to work on the course at my own pace, accommodating my busy schedule and learning preferences.I found the video lectures led by the instructor to be highly beneficial, as they provided step-by-step explanations. Additionally, the quiz assessments helped me apply the knowledge I acquired, reinforcing my understanding of the material.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed taking MOOCs to explore this type of learning. Many courses that are MOOC-based would be excellent for my professional development.

Reference

picture: https://educationaltechnology.net/massive-open-online-courses-moocs-definitions/

1. https://www.coursera.org/learn/introduction-microsoft-excel/supplement/MhGNK/project-overview
2. https://blog.extensionengine.com/xmooc-vs-cmooc#:~:text=xMOOC%20stands%20for%20eXtended%20Massive,based%20on%20traditional%20university%20courses