Why Institutions Adopt MOOCs: Breaking Down Traditional Barriers or Reproducing Privilege?

Why Institutions Adopt MOOCs:
Breaking Down Traditional Barriers
or Reproducing Privilege?
ALT Annual Conference 2015
8th September 2015
Mark Brown, Eamon Costello,
Enda Donlon & Mairead Nic Giolla Mhichil

Outline
1. Literature review
2. The DCU drivers
3. Platform deliberations
Why Institutions Adopt MOOCs:

Allan, I., & Seaman, J. (2015). Grade Level: Tracking Online Education in the
United States.

Jensen, D., & Schuwer, R. (2015). Institutional MOOC
strategies in Europe: Status report based on a mapping
survey conducted in October – December 2014.

• e-learning policy a vehicle for curriculum redesign
• emphasis on internal curriculum redesign and
transformation of the student learning experience was a
core rationale
• Desire to capitalise on promotional opportunities but at
the same time a reticence around wholly embracing the
phenomenon
• Absence of access-driven concerns in university policy
despite prominence of the goal of widening participation
in broader public debate
O’Connor, K. (2014). MOOCs, institutional policy and change dynamics in
higher education. Higher Education, 68 (5), 623-635.

Gap in the Literature

A modern digital-era university for the 21st Century
2. The DCU drivers…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massive_open_online_course

“To transform lives and societies through education,
research and innovation”

Building on
a long history

#moocposium2015

Our Main Drivers

• Extending Access
• Fostering Culture of Innovation
• Promoting Curriculum Renewal
1st
Our Main Drivers

Our Main Drivers
• Establishing International Brand
• Showcasing World-class Programs
• Building New Partnerships and
International Reputation as a Top
Young University
2nd

Our Main Drivers
• Assisting Prospective Students in
their Course Selection
• Promoting Online Readiness,
Academic Capital and Student
Success
3rd

Our Main Drivers
• Promoting an Open Philosophy
• Supporting Research on New
Models of Teaching and Learning
• Shaping Direction of Future
Developments in Higher Education
4th

- Open2Study
- ALISION
- Moodle
- EdX
- OER universitas
- Udemy
- Iversity
- OpenUpEd
- FutureLearn
Options…
3. Platform Deliberations…

Strong Pedagogical Community
LowBrandAwareness
HighBrandAwareness
Weak Pedagogical Community

InconsistentDesign
ConsistentDesign

Open to Shaping
Closed to Shaping
InconsistentDesign
ConsistentDesign

?
Open to Shaping
Closed to Shaping
InconsistentDesign
ConsistentDesign

#moocsym2015
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massive_open_online_course

• How technically fit for purpose is the platform?
• How pedagogically fit for purpose is the platform?
• How sustainable is the business model for the platform?
• How confident are you in the sustainability of the platform?
• How reputable are the partners associated with the platform?
• How well is the platform suited to supporting academic
readiness?
Key questions…

• How strong is the pedagogical community supporting
innovation through the platform?
• How well suited is the platform to promoting the goals of
outreach and wider access to higher education for all?
• What are your measures of success? How well will the
MOOC platform met your success criteria?
• What will be lost if you do nothing? What are the opportunity
costs associated with the specific initiative?
Key questions…

Key
Questions
Future
Learn
Open
2Study
Open
UpEd
Open
EdX
Moodle Udemy
How technically fit for
purpose is the platform? (3 x 3)
= 9
(3 x 3)
= 9
(0 x 3)
= 0
(3 x 3)
= 9
(2 x 3)
= 6
(1 x 3)
= 3
How pedagogically fit for
purpose is the platform? (3 x 3)
= 9
(3 x 3)
= 9
(1 x 3)
= 3
(3 x 3)
= 9
(3 x 3)
= 6
(1 x 3)
= 3
How confident are you in
the sustainability of the
platform?
(2 x 2)
= 4
(1 x 2)
= 2
(1 x 2)
= 2
(1 x 2)
= 2
(1 x 2)
= 2
(1 x 2)
= 2
How reputable are the
partners associated with
the platform?
(3 x 3)
= 9
(2 x 3)
= 6
(2 x 3)
= 6
(3 x 3)
= 9
(1 x 3)
= 3
(0 x 3)
= 0
How strong is the
pedagogical community
supporting innovation
through the platform?
(3 x 3)
= 9
(1 x 3)
= 2
(2 x 3)
= 6
(2 x 3)
= 6
(2 x 3)
= 6
(0 x 3)
= 0
Total

New platform…
• 3 x MOOCs for 2016
• 1 x MOOC for Student Success
• Other MOOCs still being discussed

CONCLUSION
In sum…
1. Understand your drivers
2. Your money needs to be on the mission
3. Sum of the whole is greater than the individual
parts

CONCLUSION
“MOOCs should
be in the service of
big ideas, not as
a big idea in itself”
(Brown & Costello, 2015; adapted from Barnett, 2011).
Final comment…

Questions…
“A prudent question is one-half of wisdom”
Francis Bacon
http://www.slideshare.net/mbrownz

Contact Details
mark.brown@dcu.ie
@mbrownz
http://www.slideshare.net/mbrownz
eamon.costello@dcu.ie
@eam0

Why Institutions Adopt MOOCs: Breaking Down Traditional Barriers or Reproducing Privilege?

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