Presentation from Future Internet Assembly, Athens, March 2014. Session: Beyond MOOCs: The Future of Learning on the Future Internet Rebecca talked about her experience with the UK-based FutureLearn platform for massive open online courses (MOOCs). FutureLearn ran its first course in September last year and now has more than a quarter of a million registered users. Rebecca talked about the benefits that massive participation can offer to learners, educators and to society. She also talked about the implications of MOOCs for the future of the internet. Event URL: https://www.fi-athens.eu/program/sessions/beyond-moocs-future-learning-future-internet

1. MOOC Platforms and the
Future Internet
Rebecca Ferguson
Institute of Educational Technology
FutureLearn pedagogic adviser
Future Internet Assembly: Athens

2. Massive
thousands may sign up
Open
no payment is required
Online
resources on the Internet
Courses
time-bounded cohorts
What are MOOCs?

3. http://about.futurelearn.com/blog/
Launched September 2013
29 partners – 26 universities
Nearly 400,000 course sign-ups
Over 200,000 registered users
Up to 30,000 learners joining
courses this year

4. Massive participation offers learners
• support from a wide range of other learners
• resources provided by those learners in the
form of discussion and links
• a range of diverse cultural perspectives.
Benefits of massive for learners
Benefits of MOOCs

5. Massive participation offers educators
• affective benefits
• potentially increased access to resources
• motivation to develop teaching practices
Benefits of massive for educators
Benefits of MOOCs

6. Massive participation offers society
• potential to develop tools and resources
• potential to develop professional practice
• increased access to higher education
• potential for global impact
Advantages of massive for society
Benefits of MOOCs

7. Badging and assessment
to evidence lifelong learning
Requirements for the future

8. E-learning portfolio
to support lifelong learning
Requirements for the future

9. Improve accessibility
to provide education for all
Requirements for the future

10. r3beccaf@wordpress.com
www.futurelearn.com