Mentored Open Online Communities (MOOCs) as a Third Space for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Abstract

Online learning environments have been promoted as educational innovations with tremendous potential. Originally framed as massive open online courses (MOOCs), large-scale, open, online learning experiences have gained significant attention under the dichotomised umbrellas of either revolutionising education or failing the schools. To provide a third space for teaching and learning in higher education institutions, modified the original framing of MOOC to develop our own mentored open online community (MooC). This chapter explores a case study of a social media project that evolved around the hashtag #WalkMyWorld and developed into this alternative type of online learning experience. A group of university teacher educators sought to break through dichotomous perspectives by experimenting with a hybrid environment \u27removed\u27 but still embedded within face-to-face classes, allowing participants to communicate, socialise and learn in a flexible, open environment. #WalkMyWorld was conceived as a third space to support learners in online spaces, offering a new organisational structure within face-to-face undergraduate and graduate-level education courses