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Ted O'Neill

Half an Hour: What Makes a MOOC Massive? - 0 views

halfanhour.blogspot.ca/...what-makes-mooc-massive.html

Downes mooc massive Dunbar's number

shared by Ted O'Neill on 21 Apr 13 - No Cached
  • In particular, my focus is on the development of a network structure, as opposed to a group structure, to manage the course. In a network structure there isn't any central focus, for example, a central discussion.
  • So what is essential to a course being a *massive* open online course, therefore, is that it is not based in a particular environment, isn't characterized by its use of a single platform, but rather by the capacity of the technology supporting the course to enable and engage conversations and activities across multiple platforms.
  • The big danger, to my mind, in a large online course is that through strong group-formation activities, it can become a small online course. This happens when a central clique or insider group is formed, or where you have inner circles and outer circles. The inner circle, for example, might expect and demand preferential access to and individual attention from the course facilitators.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • When the course functions as a small group, there is an expectation that everyone will agree on the course content, objectives, and domain of discussion. But, in fact, to be a massive course, it must needs respect a wide variety of individual objectives, perspectives on course materials, and opinions about relevant topics of discussion
  • I provide the figure of 150, Dunbar's Number, as the cut-off line. Now to be clear, this would refer to *active* participants, and not merely the number of people who signed up.
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