Presentation to the Association of Law Teachers 2013 conference.

1. The all-consuming MOOC
Michael Bromby: Discipline Lead

2. Overview
What is a MOOC anyway?
Massive – potentially thousands, not
always
Open – question of entry, fees and
openness
Online – electronic, not always distant
Course – more than just a single event
2

3. Overview
Thinking about work-place learning
and structuring online reflection, in the
open, for the masses
MOOC-madness
• Online / Flexible Learning
• Retention and Success
• Assessment and Feedback
• Sustainability
3

4. MOOCs – what‟s out there?
www.coursera.org
Numerous law courses – many are US based
Variable duration and topic
„Introductory‟ sales pitch?
See also: Udacity, FutureLearn and others
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5. MOOCs – what‟s out there?
www.coursera.org
Numerous law courses – many are US based
Variable duration and topic
„Introductory‟ sales pitch?
5

6. MOOCs – what‟s out there?
www.olds.ac.uk
“This free, open and online course (MOOC) has been
designed with further and higher education
professionals in mind - lecturers, qualification teams,
awarding bodies, learning technologists, library and
student support staff and learning and teaching
specialists - but may also be of interest to teachers (or
teachers to be) in secondary schools or informal/work
based learning facilitators, in fact, anyone with an
interest in curriculum and learning design.”
6

7. MOOCs – what‟s out there?
www.olds.ac.uk
“This free, open and online course (MOOC) has been
designed with further and higher education
professionals in mind - lecturers, qualification
teams, awarding bodies, learning technologists, library
and student support staff and learning and teaching
specialists - but may also be of interest to teachers (or
teachers to be) in secondary schools or informal/work
based learning facilitators, in fact, anyone with an
interest in curriculum and learning design.”
7

8. MOOCs – online
“All aboard the bandwagon!”
OERs
MOOCs (2yrs)
Second Life ©
http://www.totalinsights.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/social-media-bandwagon-427x250.jpg
8

9. MOOCs – Retention / Success
Strong emphasis on self-directed learner
A cast of thousands!
Study groups
“Fail to prepare…
Prepare to…!”
http://jimmyaquino.typepad.com/jimmys_juke_joint/2006/04/_falling_off_th.html
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10. MOOCs – Assessment
Strong emphasis on self-directed learner
A cast of thousands!
Study groups
Cost of assessment
“Caveat emptor”
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11. MOOCs – Feedback
Strong emphasis on self-directed learner
A cast of thousands!
Study groups
Self-reflection
Peer evaluation
http://dharmaconsulting.com/2009/what-hurts-more-feedback-feelings-part-1/
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12. MOOCs – Sustainability
x-MOOCs offer:
• Old-hat teaching
• Substantive content
• “Know-what”
c-MOOCs offer:
• Social/cultural connect
• Substantive content
• “Know-how”
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13. MOOCs – Connectivism
Central to connectivism is the relationship
between work experience, learning and
knowledge
Griffiths, Tony; David Guile (2003). "A Connective Model of Learning: the
implications for work process knowledge". European Educational
Research Journal 2 (1): 56Bad page specification here.
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http://ignatiawebs.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/

14. Conclusions
Legal Education
Learning about / to do / to be
Role of a MOOC?
Framework for self-reflection
Structured approach to work-based learning
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15. Suggestions
Proposal
The mini-MOOC – is this then an OOC?
A c-MOOC for students undertaking voluntary
or placements on extracurricular level
Purpose
Connect the disconnect relating to placements
Build upon the M and O to avoid just an OC
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16. Michael Bromby
Michael.bromby@heacademy.ac.uk 07889 352-814
@HEA_Law, Facebook, LinkedIn
www.heacademy.ac.uk/disciplines/law Legal news and resources
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