What is the future for MOOCs in Italy?

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Cover illustration by Elena Cinguino
PDF (Italian)
Published: Dec 31, 2014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17471/2499-4324/187
Keywords:
Educational Technology, IT, Massive Open Online Course, MOOC, Online Educational Resources, Online Learning, Online University, Learning Analytics, Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL)

Main Article Content

Francesca Pozzi
Istituto per le Tecnologie Didattiche - CNR | Genova
Grainne Conole
Institute of Learning Innovation - University of Leicester, Leicester

Abstract

This paper describes the MOOC phenomenon and defines its concept, by considering the numerous variants that have emerged so far. The paper looks at the existing classifications and taxonomies, as they have been proposed in the literature, and highlights some drawbacks; it then proposes a classification of MOOCs based on 12 dimensions. Then the paper focuses on one specific country, namely Italy, who has not remained uninterested in this phenomenon: indeed MOOCs have started attracting a certain interest at both the academic and decision maker’s levels; besides, in this country some MOOC offerings have already been launched. The classification is used to analyze to exemplar courses run in Italy, and thus to reflect on the potential uptake of MOOCs in Italy: the paper discusses the kind of impact MOOCs could have on the Italian universities, by pointing out the main existing barriers, as well as the enablers, which may respectively prevent or encourage an immediate uptake of MOOCs in the country.

Article Details

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

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Author Biography

Grainne Conole, Institute of Learning Innovation - University of Leicester, Leicester

Institute of Learning Innovation

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