New models of flexible learner socialisation in the digital age: The Head Start Online MOOC

This paper reports on a five week pre-induction socialisation MOOC designed to facilitate successful transition into Higher Education for non-traditional, flexible learners. In this context a broad definition is adopted of... [ view full abstract ]

This paper reports on a five week pre-induction socialisation MOOC designed to facilitate successful transition into Higher Education for non-traditional, flexible learners. In this context a broad definition is adopted of flexible learners, which includes adult learners engaged in part-time and/or online/distance education. A number of national and international reports have emphasised the importance of bringing more non-traditional, adult learners into higher education. Adult learners have a preference for flexible programmes of study that allow them to fit study around the existing parts of their life. However, enhancing retention and completion rates of this group of flexible learners has become a significant challenge throughout the world, especially with the growth of new models of online learning

The MOOC targets prospective flexible learners during early parts of the study life-cycle, when they are considering entry into higher education, or have just made that decision and may benefit from advice about how to effectively prepare. The MOOC utilises a number of OERS developed by the Student Success Toolbox project (studentsucess.ie) and combines these digital readiness tools with supporting materials in order to deliver a comprehensive pre-induction socialisation course. The key areas of focus in the MOOC are to:

• Present information that aids in the creation of realistic expectations about flexible learning in higher education, especially around the importance of time-management
• Facilitate prospective learners in reflecting on their readiness for study
• Reduce anxiety by presenting reassuring messages
• Offer opportunities for socialisation with other prospective learners
• Equip these prospective learners with advice and tools on how to effectively prepare for study

A small pilot of the ran from the 15^th Aug to the 19^th Sept 2016 on a new MOOC platform called Academy created by Moodle HQ. This was the first MOOC to run on this new platform. 150 people enrolled on the course, 105 of them signed into the course and 50 went on to receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course. Those selected to take part in this small pilot were made up of prospective flexible learners planning to start courses in Ireland in the 2016/2017 academic year and also a cohort of approximately 70 learners from Kiron, a German organisation that supports refugees in gaining access to higher education. The feedback received, albeit limited by the small numbers of respondents, indicates that a course such as this, that uses the open educational resources developed by the students success toolbox project, can have a positive impact on prospective flexible learners. When asked if they felt more prepared to become a flexible learner after taking the course 12 of 25 respondents agreed that they did and another 12 strongly agreed. The feedback also indicates that the tools do what they are designed to do, for example the MOOC participants perceived that the time management tool helped them understand how to better manage their time. At the end of the course 8 of 25 respondents agreed that they felt better able to manage their time and another 15 strongly agreed.