Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ In Online Ed, Content Is No Longer King—Cohorts Are

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

This article, published on Andreessen Horowitz 's new platform Future (more), makes a good point about the changing state of play in online learning: "the rise of cohort-based courses (CBCs), interactive online courses where a group of students advances through the material together — in 'cohorts' - with hands-on, feedback-based learning at the core." The article points to two major trends: first, the widespread availability of free learning content ("people view learning-related content on YouTube 500 million times every day") and the disappointing completion rates for content-only online learning. Why cohorts? "Live, bi-directional learning leads to more accountability," writes Wes Kao, and "the forced scarcity of fixed start and end dates adds a sense of urgency and focus." Also, " they are bi-directional, as opposed to one-way, meaning there's an exchange of knowledge between the instructor and students, as well as students with fellow students. It's a dialogue, not a static lecture."

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
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Last Updated: Apr 24, 2024 04:42 a.m.

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