Developing a MOOC: My Journey

This paper will examine my experience, as a third year (full-time, campus-based) on my INTRA work placement as an undergraduate Psychology student, of working in the DCU development team for a flexible learner readiness MOOC... [ view full abstract ]

This paper will examine my experience, as a third year (full-time, campus-based) on my INTRA work placement as an undergraduate Psychology student, of working in the DCU development team for a flexible learner readiness MOOC (Get Ready For Success: Starting your Higher Education Journey). My role in the development team involved researching readiness for higher education MOOCs, by reviewing appropriate literature and enrolling on a number of such MOOCs in order to report on my experience, and also aiding in the design of elements of the Get Ready For Success MOOC. There was a specific focus on how a MOOC can best communicate with its participants.

The type of MOOC in development is an xMOOC with the format of video, quizzes, activities, forums with links to supporting material. This format which encourages self-directed learning in my experience found it a very much an individualized way of learning. While there is some support and engagement with fellow students, there is a lack of human contact when compared with a campus-based course. However, researching MOOCs also highlighted the chief benefit of online learning, the flexibility to engage in learning whenever you want; through whatever medium you have available.

Drawing on my knowledge of Psychology, I found that people’s motivation, self-esteem and self-efficacy can translate differently when engaging with online learning. Individual differences and factors such as time management, finance issues, and/or family commitments can impact on completion of a MOOC. In building motivation and self-esteem through creating effective communication channels, for example regular emails, was a great experience in being able to keep students engaged within the MOOC as seeing it from their perspective. Learner readiness MOOCs are an excellent preparation for higher education as giving you an insight into a topic, supports for doing assignments and links to educational material while assisting you from an organisational standpoint.