Interesting reading from Journal of Online Learning and Teaching via Merlot about the process Duke University followed in setting up moocs with Coursera:
http://jolt.merlot.org/vol9no2/lombardi_0613.htm
The hours required per course are something I’m not sure everyone understands. Is 210 hours (8 weeks full-time or 1 semester half-time plus another 210 for delivery) realistic for a prof to work with an instructional design and tech team to prepare for the course? I think for a basic course it might work. Unfortunately, some folks believe that putting a course online = uploading course notes to Blackboard and is something that can be done by a technicial support person. NOT! Developing an effective online course takes time and effort.
Key questions in the conclusion:
- Have institutional leaders consulted with faculty governance councils in a timely fashion, encouraging expressions of concern and taking them into account in framing the institution’s approach to new opportunities?
- Does the institution have the capacity to provision a support structure for MOOC course development?
Having a student support structure in place is also important for any online or hybrid initiative. A help desk that is only open 8-4 doesn’t work.
More on Mooc’s via Stephen Downes and OL Daily:
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/mooc-creators-criticise-courses-lack-of-creativity/2008180.fullarticle — So right!
and