The history of my own progress in understanding MOOCs and their potential has been recorded over the last few months.
This site is by no means comprehensive but does include a number of significant resources; look in particular at the presentation made at TED (August 2012) by Daphne Koller.
This site is by no means comprehensive but does include a number of significant resources; look in particular at the presentation made at TED (August 2012) by Daphne Koller.
The University of Edinburgh Introduction to Philosophy was the first MOOC I explored.
As a lapsed classicist (Edinburgh, 1974) I then explored some resources that were prototypes and examples of the MOOC approach, including:
As a lapsed classicist (Edinburgh, 1974) I then explored some resources that were prototypes and examples of the MOOC approach, including:
- The work of Donald Kagan and his introduction to the Greek history of ancient Greece; this has been available for several years, complete with lecture notes and videos; a total of over 20 hours
- Mary Beard, Professor of Classics at Cambridge, has had considerable success with her blog in recent years.
- Gregory Nagy of Harvard has delivered his MOOC on the ancient Greek hero several times.
- Andrew Szegedy-Maszak of Wesleyan delivered a fully formed MOOC dealing with the history of ancient Greece.
The Gathering is an initiative to encourage people around the world to explore significant issues in Irish identity. The introductory video (2 minutes) by Taoiseach Enda Kenny (Ireland’s Prime Minister) encourages people to enrol and engage through this free course.
As I became aware of this use of the MOOC model, I realised that there may be opportunities that were not necessarily based in higher education.
As I became aware of this use of the MOOC model, I realised that there may be opportunities that were not necessarily based in higher education.
In April 2013, during a visit to the IATEFL conference in Liverpool, I was able to have informal conversations with a number of trusted folk who (as I believed) would have perspectives on MOOCs and their potential. Much food for thought was provided and I heard nothing very negative.
I returned to Belfast, having identified an opportunity to build on some work that was already going on in County Cavan.
The section that follows lies at the heart of the presentation.
I returned to Belfast, having identified an opportunity to build on some work that was already going on in County Cavan.
The section that follows lies at the heart of the presentation.