MoocCast:evaluating mobile-screencast for online courses

The progressive adoption of smartphones and interconnected devices is inspiring students to redesign their physical spaces towards a seamless shift between daily life and learning activities. In the last years, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) represent one of the key resources facilitating universal access to education as they enable students to learn across formal and informal contexts. However, there is little research exploring these alternative ways to present the content offered to learners in MOOCs for improved accessibility from personal contexts. This work presents the first study evaluating mobile-screencast technology as a means to facilitate learning processes in online courses. The contribution from this manuscript is threefold: first, preferred learning spaces for students enrolled to accomplish the activities in a MOOC are identified; second, mobile-screencast is evaluated as a solution for improved accessibility in online courses; third, an open tool for mobile-screencast and initial results from a formative evaluation are presented. This tool can be reused and adapted in further MOOC implementations. Finally, lessons learned are discussed and cues for future implementations are challenged

La educomunicación en entornos digitales: una perspectiva de la interacción dentro y más allá de las aulas de clase

In a highly interconnected and technology-mediated world, the way in which education is recognized as a communicative phenomenon is highly relevant to understand its development and future possibilities. In this text, educommunication is analyzed from the point of view of interactions that occur in different digital learning environments, especially in ICT-enhanced classrooms, blended learning, e-learning, mobile learning and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC). This analysis was conducted from a systematic literature review of 240 papers that describe research generated on these topics, during the last 20 years.The results show that beyond the importance of interaction for the development of educational practices, different digital environments involve different ways of conceiving and deploying interaction processes, inside and outside the classroom.This implies the imperative need to adjust the current processes of teacher training in such a way that teachers can understand these differences and recognize both their theoretical and practical implication.En un mundo altamente interconectado y mediado por tecnologías, la forma como la educación se reconoce como un fenómeno comunicativo resulta de alta relevancia para comprender su desarrollo y posibilidades futuras. En este texto, se analiza la educomunicación desde las interacciones que suceden en distintos entornos digitales de aprendizaje, especialmente desde la presencialidad apoyada en Tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC), el blended learning, e-learning, el aprendizaje móvil y los Cursos Masivos Abiertos y En línea (MOOC). Este análisis se condujo a partir de una revisión sistemática de literatura de 240 artículos sobre la investigación generada sobre estos tópicos, durante los últimos 20 años.Los resultados muestran que más allá de la evidente importancia que tiene la interacción para el desarrollo de las prácticas educativas, los distintos entornos digitales suponen distintas maneras de concebir y desplegar los procesos de interacción, dentro y fuera de las aulas de clase.Lo anterior supone la necesidad imperiosa de ajustar los actuales procesos de formación docente de tal manera que lo profesores logren comprender estas diferencias y reconozcan sus implicaciones tanto teóricas como prácticas

cMOOCs and Global Learning: An Authentic Alternative

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) continue to attract press coverage as they change almost daily in their format, number of registrations and potential for credentialing. An enticing aspect of the MOOC is its global reach. In this paper, we will focus on a type of MOOC called a cMOOC, because it is based on the theory of connectivism and fits the definition of an Open Educational Resource (OER) identified for this special edition of JALN. We begin with a definition of the cMOOC and a discussion of the connectivism on which it is based. Definitions and a research review are followed with a description of two MOOCs offered by two of the authors. Research on one of these MOOCs completed by a third author is presented as well. Student comments that demonstrate the intercultural connections are shared. We end with reflections, lessons learned and recommendations

How Could MOOCs Become Accessible? The Case of edX and the Future of Inclusive Online Learning

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have great potential to provide learning opportunities for people around the world. However, to reach their full potential, MOOCs need to meet the accessibility needs of diverse learners, with and without disabilities. In the literature review, we have found some published research on accessibility evaluations of MOOCs content and platforms, but we have not found published research on how to design existing and future MOOC platforms to assist authors in producing accessible content. The main purpose of this research is to contribute to the discussion about the future of inclusive online learning, by proposing a software design to incorporate features in MOOC platforms to enable, support and guide authors toward conceptualizing, designing, building and testing accessible MOOCs. We also present the results of an evaluation of the accessibility issues of Studio, the edX course-authoring software, based on ATAG 2.0.This work has been partially supported by the Prometeo Project by SENESCYT, Ecuadorian Government

Only connect: indigenous digital learning

There is now a unique interdisciplinary opportunity to work across the various digital technology development communities, for example ICT4D and m4d, albeit with their conservative conceptions of learning, and the innovative digital learning communities breaking away from institutional e-learning formats, for example the open learning movement, at a time when many indigenous communities in the global South have considerable experience, access, ownership and familiarity with personal and social digital systems and when the decolonising movement provide the impetus and processes to develop new tools and techniques to work together for an accurate and authentic understanding of learning needs and the methods to address them. This is timely and urgent since digital technologies, produced by Anglophone global corporations and promoting the global knowledge economy, threaten fragile cultures and languages and promote the Fourth Industrial Revolution whilst in fact delivering the next wave of epistemicides. This paper sets out the case for urgent, collective and coherent action

User interaction in Iraqi blended massive open online course model

Despite the evidence of Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) didactic values, most scholars do not emphasize user interaction (UI), user experience (UX), and MOOC design technique that accommodate the interrelated key components and design methods of MOOC based on different learners’ cultures and languages. As a result, there is a tendency to present MOOC as a challenging and impractical approach. Essentially, there is a lack of conceptual models and methods that comprehensively structure the crucial theories, components, techniques, technologies, and systematic processes of MOOC design. Within this context, this study proposes a blended MOOC (bMOOC) model in order to design, implement, and evaluate the Iraqi-bMOOC platform. To accomplish this, a number of sub-objectives are formed: (1) to determine the current limitations and challenges of MOOC in the higher education context from the perspective of Iraqi students, (2) to identify the design dimensions and components of a bMOOC model, (3) to construct and develop bMOOC model based on objective 2, and (4) to evaluate the user interaction of a bMOOC prototype based on the user experience. This study adopts the Design Science Research methodology as the framework of the research process. Activities of Iraqi-bMOOC model construction include a literature review, a comparative study and content analysis of the existing models, and an expert’s consultation. The proposed model is evaluated through an expert’s review, an experimental test, and user interaction. The results reveal that the majority of users are satisfied with the learning activities in the Iraqi-bMOOC platform. The results from the user interaction testing conclude that the proposed Iraqi-bMOOC model is perceived as significantly providing quality interactive learning as a blended learning resource for university students. This study also finds that the proposed model is well-accepted by the experts. Four major theoretical, practical, empirical, and educational contributions are obtained from this study: (i) collecting and analyzing the literature that has been conducted on MOOCs between 2008 and 2016 to get a deep and better understanding of the MOOC stakeholders and their behaviors, (ii) analytically providing a new understanding of the main components and criteria (Design Dimensions) of effective bMOOC environments that would be of value for developers to construct blended MOOC in the higher education context, (iii) increasing the interaction of Iraqi learners with the learning materials in a higher education environment via the Iraqi-bMOOC, and (iv) breaking down obstacles of traditional education and MOOC for anyone, anywhere, and anytime. In conclusion, it is hoped that this study does not only demonstrate the potential and impact of blended MOOC in technology-enhanced and student-centred learning, but it also provides a capstone for bMOOC research in the higher education context

Merging MOOC and mLearning for Increased Learner Interactions

In this paper, the authors suggest the merger of the Massively Open Online Course (MOOC) format and mobile learning (mLearning) based on mutual affordances of both contemporary learning/teaching formats to investigate learner interactions and dialogues in an open online course. The paper presents a case study of how MobiMOOC, a course created using the MOOC format, demonstrates the synergistic characteristics between the MOOC format and mLearning, making a combination of both fields ideal for contemporary, digital, collaborative learning, and knowledge construction based on learner interactions and dialogue. MobiMOOC was a six-week online course focusing on mLearning that ran in April and May 2011. An endof-course survey providesinsight thatsupportsthe synergies between MOOCs and mLearning: collaboration, informal and lifelong learning, and dialogue.Fil: De Waard, Inge. Athabasca University; BélgicaFil: Koutropoulos, Apostolos. University of Massachusetts; Estados UnidosFil: Hogue, Rebecca J.. University of Ottawa; CanadáFil: Abajian, Sean C.. California State University Northridge (calif. State Univ. Northridge);Fil: Keskin, Nilgün Özdamar. Anadolu University; TurquíaFil: Rodriguez, Carlos Osvaldo. Universidad del Cema. Departamento de Ingeniería Informatica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gallagher, Michael Sean. University of Edinburgh; Reino Unid

Learning through the crisis: Helping decision-makers around the world use digital technology to combat the educational challenges produced by the current COVID-19 pandemic

�� 2020 The Authors. Published by EdTech Hub. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher���s website: https://docs.edtechhub.org/lib/CD9IAPF

Towards the Development of an Effective Online Language Learning Model in a University Environment

[ES] Esta tesis documenta el progreso hacia un modelo de aprendizaje de lenguas online. A pesar de las recientes innovaciones en el aprendizaje online, se necesita un conocimiento más profundo de lo que significa aprender online para poder garantizar que la experiencia del aprendizaje de lenguas sea mejor para todos. Los estudiantes a menudo se sienten abrumados con la tecnología a expensas de una pedagogía adecuada. Esta tesis explora la naturaleza de aprender una lengua online. El estudio investiga cómo los recientes avances tecnológicos han propiciado que el aprendizaje de una lengua se esté transformando, pasando de ser una actividad presencial a ser una actividad online. En el proceso de cambio a un entorno online, los profesores deben aprender nuevas formas de interactuar con los alumnos y compartir conocimientos. Esto significa que debemos volver a pensar cómo adquirirá el alumno las competencias lingüísticas. Esta tesis sostiene que analizar las opiniones de los estudiantes es un paso esencial hacia el diseño y desarrollo de un modelo de aprendizaje de idiomas online. La tesis comienza con la revisión de la literatura existente relacionada con el aprendizaje y la tecnología online (tecnologías multimedia, aprendizaje asistido por ordenador, la relación entre la lingüística de corpus y el aprendizaje de lenguas online, el uso de tecnologías móviles, el uso de juegos, la simulación y la realidad virtual, el impacto de las redes sociales). Para la metodología, hemos utilizado un diseño mixto cuasi experimental. Hemos recogido datos de varias fuentes y los hemos analizado para disponer de la información necesaria para así poder diseñar un modelo de aprendizaje de lenguas online. En primer lugar, se ha llevado a cabo una investigación inicial en el aula para descubrir y analizar algunas ideas básicas que los estudiantes tienen sobre el uso de herramientas para el aprendizaje de idiomas online. En segundo lugar, hemos examinado los contenidos y la estructura de los libros de texto electrónicos como representativos de una especie de paso intermedio hacia un curso de aprendizaje de idiomas online. En tercer lugar, hemos analizado Massive Open Online Courses. En cuarto lugar, ofrecemos un análisis sobre el diseño adecuado y apropiado de cuestionarios. A continuación, presentamos el razonamiento en el que basamos los tres cuestionarios utilizados en nuestra investigación. El primer cuestionario se centraba principalmente en el papel de Internet como herramienta de aprendizaje de idiomas. En el segundo cuestionario los alumnos tuvieron que evaluar sitios web para el aprendizaje de idiomas. En nuestro tercer cuestionario abordamos la cuestión de las actividades de aprendizaje de idiomas. El cuestionario pretendía descubrir las opiniones de los estudiantes sobre diferentes tipos de actividades de aprendizaje de idiomas, que iban desde actividades cortas, tradicionales, formales a actividades de mayor duración tipo proyecto. El Capítulo IV está dedicado principalmente a valorar los resultados del análisis de nuestra investigación inicial en el aula, el análisis de los libros de texto electrónicos y sus correspondientes plataformas online, el análisis de los MOOC para el aprendizaje de idiomas y el análisis de las respuestas de los alumnos a los tres cuestionarios. El Capítulo V presenta un modelo de aprendizaje de idiomas online. Esta investigación contribuye a mejorar la experiencia de aprendizaje de idiomas online al hacer explícitos los pasos que se deben seguir para desarrollar un curso de idiomas online impulsado por la pedagogía y fundamentado en las tecnologías más recientes. El modelo puede convertirse en una herramienta de toma de decisiones (una guía y lista de verificación para el diseño de cursos de idiomas online). Además, contribuye a la discusión sobre la mejor manera de integrar herramientas, tareas y aprendizaje de lenguas, una parte fundamental del proceso de apr[CA] Esta tesi documenta el progrés cap a un model d'aprenentatge del llengües en línia. A pesar de les recents innovacions en l'aprenentatge en línia, és necessari un coneixement més profund del que significa aprendre en línia per tal de poder garantir que l'experiència de l'aprenentatge de llengües siga millor per a tots. Els estudiants sovint se senten desbordats davant la tecnologia a falta d'una pedagogia adequada. Esta tesi explora la naturalesa d'aprendre una llengua en línia. L'estudi investiga com els recents avanços tecnològics han propiciat que l'aprenentatge d'una llengua passe de ser una activitat presencial a ser una activitat en línia. En el procés de canvi a un entorn en línia, els professors han d'aprendre noves formes d'interactuar amb els alumnes i compartir coneixements. Açò significa que hem de tornar a pensar com adquirirà l'alumne les competències lingüístiques. Esta tesi sosté que una anàlisi de les opinions dels estudiants és un pas essencial cap al disseny i desenvolupament d'un model d'aprenentatge d'idiomes en línia. La tesi comença amb la revisió de la literatura existent relacionada amb l'aprenentatge i la tecnologia en línia (tecnologies multimèdia, aprenentatge assistit per ordinador, la relació entre la lingüística de corpus i l'aprenentatge de llengües en línia, l'ús de tecnologies mòbils, l'ús de jocs, la simulació i la realitat virtual, l'impacte de les xarxes socials). Per a la metodologia, s'ha usat un disseny mixt quasi experimental. S'han recollit dades de fonts diverses i les hem analitzat per tal de disposar de la informació necessària per poder dissenyar un model d'aprenentatge de llengües en línia. En primer lloc, hem dut a terme una investigació inicial en l'aula per tal de descobrir i analitzar algunes idees bàsiques que els estudiants tenen sobre l'ús de ferramentes per a l'aprenentatge d'idiomes en línia. En segon lloc, hem examinat els continguts i l'estructura dels llibres de text electrònics com representatius d'una espècie de pas intermedi cap a un curs d'aprenentatge d'idiomes en línia, ja que molts d'estos llibres de text vénen acompanyats d'una plataforma en línia. En tercer lloc, hem analitzat Massive Open Online Courses. En quart lloc, fem una anàlisi sobre quin és el disseny adequat per als qüestionaris. A continuació, presentem el raonament en què basem els tres qüestionaris emprats en la nostra investigació. El primer qüestionari se centrava principalment en el paper d'Internet com a ferramenta d'aprenentatge d'idiomes. En el segon qüestionari els alumnes havien d'avaluar llocs web per a l'aprenentatge d'idiomes. En el nostre tercer qüestionari abordàvem la qüestió de les activitats de l'aprenentatge d'idiomes. El qüestionari pretenia descobrir les opinions dels estudiants sobre diferents tipus d'activitats d'aprenentatge d'idiomes, que anaven des d'activitats curtes, tradicionals, formals a activitats de major duració tipus projecte. El Capítol IV està dedicat principalment a valorar els resultats de l'anàlisi de la nostra investigació inicial en l'aula, l'anàlisi dels llibres de text electrònics i les seues corresponents plataformes en línia, l'anàlisi dels MOOC per a l'aprenentatge d'idiomes i l'anàlisi de les respostes dels alumnes als tres qüestionaris. El Capítol V presenta un model d'aprenentatge d'idiomes en línia. Esta investigació contribueix a millorar l'experiència d'aprenentatge d'idiomes en línia en fer explícits els passos que s'han de seguir per a desenvolupar un curs d'idiomes en línia impulsat per la pedagogia i fonamentat en les tecnologies més recents. El model pot convertir-se en una ferramenta de presa de decisions (una guia i llista de verificació per al disseny de cursos d'idiomes en línia). A més a més, contribueix al debat sobre la millor forma d'integrar ferramentes, tasques i aprenentatge de llengües, una part fonamental del procés d'aprenentatge en lí[EN] This thesis documents the progress towards a model of online language learning. Despite the recent innovations in online learning, greater in-depth knowledge of what it means to learn online is needed to ensure a better language learning experience for everyone. Learners are often overwhelmed with technology at the expense of proper pedagogy. This thesis explores the nature of learning a language online. My research investigates how recent technological advances have meant that learning a language is transforming from being a face-to-face classroom activity to an online activity. In the process of changing to an online environment, teachers are having to learn new ways of interacting with students and sharing knowledge. This means that we need to re-think how a learner is going to acquire a language. This thesis holds the view that an analysis of learner opinions is an essential step towards the design and development of a model of online language learning. The thesis begins by reviewing the existing literature related to online language learning and technology (multimedia technologies, computer assisted language learning, the relationship between corpus linguistics and online language learning, the use of mobile technologies, the use of gaming, simulation and virtual reality, the impact of social networking). For the methodology, we used a mixed quasi-experimental design. We collected data from various sources and analysed it to provide us with the necessary information to be able to design a model of online language learning. Firstly, we carried out some initial classroom research to discover and analyse some basic ideas that students have about the use of tools for online language learning. The objective of this initial classroom research was to try to become familiar with the type of tools they used and what language skills they thought they would develop with these tools. Secondly, we examined the contents and structure of e-textbooks as representative of a kind of halfway house to an online language learning course as many of these e-textbooks come accompanied by an online platform. Thirdly, we analysed Massive Open Online Courses: their impact on online learning and online language learning. Fourthly, we provide a discussion about appropriate and suitable questionnaire design. This includes discussion of the questionnaire design process. Then, we present the thinking behind the three questionnaires used in our research. The first questionnaire focussed mostly on the role of the internet as a language learning tool. It tried to elicit from students what they know about online learning in general and, more particularly, online language learning. Our second questionnaire was a questionnaire where students had to evaluate language learning websites. Our third questionnaire covered the issue of language learning activities, where the questionnaire aimed to discover student opinions about different kinds of language learning activities, which ranged from formal, traditional, short activities to longer project type activities. Chapter IV is mainly concerned with discussing results from the analysis of our initial classroom research, analysis of e-textbooks and their associated online platforms, analysis of MOOCs for language learning and analysis of learner responses to three questionnaires. Chapter V presents a model of online language learning. This research contributes to enhancing the online language learning experience by making explicit the steps that need to be taken to construct an online language course which is driven by pedagogy and informed by the latest technologies. The model can become a decision-making tool (a guide and checklist for designing online language courses). Furthermore, it contributes to the discussion of how best to combine tools, tasks and language acquisition, a fundamental part of the online learning process.Galstyan Sargsyan, R. (2019). Towards the Development of an Effective Online Language Learning Model in a University Environment [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/117609TESI