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A strategic response to MOOCs: how one European university is approaching the challenge

Brown, Mark ORCID: 0000-0002-7927-6717, Costello, Eamon ORCID: 0000-0002-2775-6006, Donlon, Enda ORCID: 0000-0003-2817-9033 and Nic Giolla Mhichíl, Mairéad ORCID: 0000-0003-1885-6723 (2015) A strategic response to MOOCs: how one European university is approaching the challenge. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 16 (6). pp. 98-115. ISSN 1492-3831

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Abstract

This paper briefly outlines some of the macro level claims, counter-claims, and unresolved debates surrounding the rapid growth of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in Higher Education. It then reports insights, experiences, and perceptions of those charged with developing a strategic institutional response to the challenges and opportunities presented by the MOOC movement framed within a wider European context. A description of the key drivers, strategic deliberations, and major decision points in micro-level MOOC related discussions at Dublin City University (DCU) is provided along with brief analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of a range of platform options. In critically reflecting on the burgeoning MOOC literature in the context of this single institution experience, the paper aims to demonstrate the value of aligning key decisions with well-defined institutional drivers, which in turn are used to help review and evaluate the technical and pedagogical affordances of different MOOC platforms. Finally, a number of strategic questions are presented that may help guide future decisions about the adoption of MOOCs by other institutions.

Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Higher Education; Open Learning; MOOCs; Strategic Drivers; Europe
Subjects:Social Sciences > Education
Social Sciences > Educational technology
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > NIDL (National Institute for Digital Learning)
DCU Faculties and Schools > Institute of Education > School of STEM Education, Innovation, & Global Studies
Publisher:Athabasca University
Official URL:http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/2151
Copyright Information:© 2015 Athabasca University
Use License:This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License. View License
ID Code:20950
Deposited On:08 Dec 2015 14:13 by Fran Callaghan . Last Modified 16 Apr 2021 12:48

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