Internet Learning Volume 4, Number 2, Fall 2015 | Page 61

Internet Learning
participant noted MOOCs as “giving a safe
environment for testing technical skills
without a grade being on the line”. Thus,
students are able to learn without the added
stress of making a good grade which may
affect their ability to learn. The benefits
MOOCs offer students are enhanced by the
many benefits institutions and programs
gain from offering MOOCs.
Institution and Program Benefits
Institutions and programs benefits
greatly from the marketing aspect related
to offering MOOCs. One participant stated
“if well-designed and conducted, a MOOC
can raise the visibility of the institution
and of the instructor”. Thus, having welldesigned
and conducted courses generates
publicity and increases the visibility of the
institution or program on the national level.
Participants also noted if institutions are
highly visible, they then have the ability to
broaden their recruiting to reach a wide
diversity of students.
Reaching a wide audience. MOOCs
provide institutions and programs the
opportunity to reach students who may be
dispersed across the country by offering
flexibility in location. One participant stated
institutions are “reaching geographically
remote and economically disadvantaged
curious learners”. Students are not required
to be geographically housed in the same
location as the institution or program they
attend. Meaning, institutions and programs
are able to electronically reach new, larger
student populations without being limited by
physical space and by removing the barrier
that distance can create. The ability to reach
a wider audience challenges institutions or
programs to improve course quality and
provide professional development.
Improving course quality. Participants
noted that the quality of courses can be
improved through the use of MOOCs. By
offering a course online, instructors are
challenged to be creative in designing and
delivering instruction. As one participant
noted, “when creatively and thoughtfully
produced, the MOOC provides greater
attention to the visual presentation needed
to capture interest and enhance learning”
for the students. The ability of instructors to
create interactive, engaging online MOOCs
also “promulgates best practices” as noted
by one participant.
Professional development for
professors and teachers. As instructors
seek to provide the highest quality of
content for their courses to students,
MOOCs also provide opportunities
for faculty professional development.
Participants noted MOOCs are a means
to offer professional development to
faculty teaching at smaller institutions
who may experience limitations on travel
or availability of funding. One participant
stated “professional continuing education
MOOCs provide opportunities to people
in smaller communities who may not have
access to F2F CE opportunities”. Thus,
faculty members gain access to professional
development opportunities that are flexible
in location and scheduling.
Multiple Benefits from Offering MOOCs
MOOCs help students and
instructors overcome the barriers of distance
and high costs as well as the time constraints
associated with the traditional college and
professional development courses. By
providing a flexible learning and teaching
alternative, institutions and programs are
better able to market themselves, serve
geographically remote and financially
disadvantaged populations, and promote
best teaching practices without having to
increase the physical size of their campuses.
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