What is the theory that underpins our moocs?
June 6, 2012
Commentary by Stephen Downes

George Siemens presents slides and text from a presentation describing eight underlying principles for MOOCs. Among these, he says, MOOC are basdsed on connectivist pedagogy, the idea that knowledge is generative, learner-formed coherence, self-organization and resonance, and autonomous and self-regulated learners. Many of these contrast with the manner in which the big university MOOCDs anre design; as Siemens describes them, "their MOOCs are based on a hub and spoke model: the faculty/knowledge at the centre and the learners are replicators or duplicators of knowledge." He admits that the characterization is a bit unfair - but I would say, it's only a bit unfair, and if I were Siemens I would make the point rather than spend time apologizing for making it. Related tho this (and linking to it) is a post from Audrey Watters on what lies underneath the MOOC.

[Direct Link] [Tags: Connectivism, Linking and Deep Linking]
Comments

Re: What is the theory that underpins our moocs?

mgozaydin, June 6, 2012

It seems George Siemens is a great onliner . I value his opinions highly .
He made a small skeptical comment about big universities MOOCs.
I understand with that big university MIT and Harvard
MITx has already 120,000 students in one course, exams on 8 June 2012 then certificates will be awarded.

I call it top universities MOOC.
I concluded after working online for 17 years :
ONLY Top universities must provide top online education
since they have 100-150 years of accumulated knowledge assets.
Be careful none of those other standard colleges have that .
Then they attract million students, then cost per student becomes nill .

I would appreciate to hear Mr. Siemens if he has any comment regarding MITx teaching model. We are all open to any critisism in order to have all 1 billion people of the world accept this model .

So far I liked MITx first course in Electronic Circuits. I had taken same course at Stanford 40 years ago face to face . I can easily say MITx online was better than Stanford face to face course .

I am a very strong believer of MITx and Harvardx . I hope Stanford x will join them soon . So I appeal to opponents:
Please make your comments constructively in order to make this model better .
This model will save the world . [Comment] [Permalink] [Previous][Next]



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