The resurgence of community in online learning

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Cover illustration by Elena Cinguino
PDF (Italian)
Published: Dec 31, 2014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17471/2499-4324/186
Keywords:
Educational Technology, IT, Massive Open Online Course, MOOC, Online learning community, Open courses, Peer community, Learning Analytics, Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL)

Main Article Content

Stephen Downes
National Research Council Canada, Moncton, New Brunswick

Abstract

In this contribution Stephen Downes addresses the question of how massive open online courses (MOOCs) will impact the future of distance education. The presentation considers in some detail the nature and purpose of a MOOC in contrast with traditional distance education. He argues that MOOCs represent the resurgence of community-based learning and will describe how distance education institutions will share MOOCs with each other and will supplement online interaction with communitybased resources and services. The phenomenon of ‘wrapped MOOCs’ will be described, and Downes will outline several examples of local support for global MOOCs. The implications for the non-English-speaking world of distance education will be considered, and Downes will outline strategies and examples of the use of MOOCs to promote linguistic diversity.

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 22 No. 3 (2014): TD63 - Dossier - Learning Analytics
Section
Articles - General topics

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