Interesting article in new “Moocs Forum” journal:
http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/mooc.2013.0008
The article outlines a SWOT analysis undertaken by faculty members in the Instructional Sytems Design program at Florida State U. What is interesting to me is that the context, the questions being asked and the conclusions are very similar to my situation and some of the questions I have been pondering. Two points in particular stand out:
1. “Resources—whether human, technological, or financial—also are highlighted as critical elements of a MOOC; their availability is intertwined with the ability to both develop and host a MOOC.” Yes. Support resources are definitely required.
2. “MOOCs are not designed and delivered by universities. Rather, it is individual faculty members, who may rely on varied university support services, who design and deliver MOOCs.” This is where I think we may be going wrong and one of the reasons why I removed myself from our so called “development” area. A recent article tweeted by our president suggested that innovation is not found in the board rooms and offices, but on the field. Right on. Unfortunately, it is in the “offices” that plans are being made without faculty input or involvement. Too bad.
3. “A faculty member embarking on a MOOC project would require programmatic support and also would need a clear reason for doing the MOOC.” For me, that reason is keen interest in all aspects of online learning and professional growth.
The fact that as educators and instructional designers we are on the same page is encouraging. It doesn’t mean that administrators feel the same way, however I’m glad to think my some of my instincts are correct.