MOOCs at WKU: A Taskforce Bookmark List

The ascendance of “certificates” – Where “evaluation” loses importance and preference is given to “a variety of certificates which attest to exposure rather than mastery.”

SPOCs (Small Private Online Courses) and SOOCs (Selective Open Online Courses).

According to some experts, these smaller, more selective programme models may be more than an alternative to MOOCs; they may be the more sustainable and engaging forms of online learning in a “post-MOOC” era.

MOOC proponents’ altruistic claim of “educating the world” is a misnomer: MOOCs are really about trying to open a world market, with students seen as statistics more than individual learners; MOOCs are an easy opportunity to cut labour costs by firing existing faculty members and/or hiring poorly trained but cheap course administrators; They are the opposite of customised and do not factor in the location or cultural context of students.

Real University Subjects uneOpen subjects are written by academics from the University of New England, Australia (UNE) and are of an equivalent standard to units taught in UNE degrees. This is why when combined with a challenge exam, uneOpen subjects can count towards credit in UNE degrees. Real Learning Once you register in a uneOpen subject, you will gain unrestricted access to subject materials as well as access to an online forum where you can connect with like-minded learners. Some uneOpen subjects will use self-assessments to help you determine your progress. These are free of charge and can usually be taken more than once. It’s all free so why not register for a subject and take a look for yourself? Real Recognition The days of studying free online courses but getting no formal or accredited recognition for your work are over! If you wish to gain formal accreditation for your uneOpen subjects, you can choose to undertake a challenge exam within set examination periods for each trimester for $495. Exams will be held by the University of New England at a number of official Exam Centres across Australia and around the world. Any subjects you complete through uneOpen can be recognised for credit into a range of degrees at the University of New England (UNE) - something you can’t do at any other university in Australia. You simply apply for advanced standing or credit into your preferred degrees and meet the University’s admission and entry requirements. For more information, see Progressing to UNE degrees. Real Flexibility Learning online with uneOpen provides an opportunity for you to study with no upfront costs or risks, at a time that suits you, without having to physically attend a campus. This provides the perfect way to plan your study around your life commitments. All you require is an internet connection and a willingness to learn. It’s FREE There are no fees to join uneOpen or to access the course material in uneOpen. Tutorial support from lecturers and exams are available at a price if you wish to purchase them however these are completely optional. No Entry Restrictions There are no entry barriers to uneOpen. That means no application forms or charges and no rejection letters! To get started, simply go to the page on this website for the subject you’re interested in, register and enrol, and then you can start learning. No Stress The only exams and assessments at uneOpen are the ones you choose to do. If you’re only interested in absorbing the subject material and you don’t wish to sit exams and do assignments, then that’s exactly what you can do. What’s more it won’t cost you a thing so you won’t have fees to stress about either. No Timetables At uneOpen, you can study at your own pace. You can review the subject material any time day or night so you don’t need to worry about missing a lecture. No Obligation Registering for a uneOpen subject gives you access to that subject but does not commit you to anything. There are no withdrawal fees or academic penalties and no re-admittance fees when you come back so you can come and go as you please. The only charges are for premium services which are completely optional.

Real University Subjects uneOpen subjects are written by academics from the University of New England, Australia (UNE) and are of an equivalent standard to units taught in UNE degrees. This is why when combined with a challenge exam, uneOpen subjects can count towards credit in UNE degrees. Real Learning Once you register in a uneOpen subject, you will gain unrestricted access to subject materials as well as access to an online forum where you can connect with like-minded learners. Some uneOpen subjects will use self-assessments to help you determine your progress. These are free of charge and can usually be taken more than once. It’s all free so why not register for a subject and take a look for yourself? Real Recognition The days of studying free online courses but getting no formal or accredited recognition for your work are over! If you wish to gain formal accreditation for your uneOpen subjects, you can choose to undertake a challenge exam within set examination periods for each trimester for $495. Exams will be held by the University of New England at a number of official Exam Centres across Australia and around the world. Any subjects you complete through uneOpen can be recognised for credit into a range of degrees at the University of New England (UNE) - something you can’t do at any other university in Australia. You simply apply for advanced standing or credit into your preferred degrees and meet the University’s admission and entry requirements. For more information, see Progressing to UNE degrees. Real Flexibility Learning online with uneOpen provides an opportunity for you to study with no upfront costs or risks, at a time that suits you, without having to physically attend a campus. This provides the perfect way to plan your study around your life commitments. All you require is an internet connection and a willingness to learn. It’s FREE There are no fees to join uneOpen or to access the course material in uneOpen. Tutorial support from lecturers and exams are available at a price if you wish to purchase them however these are completely optional. No Entry Restrictions There are no entry barriers to uneOpen. That means no application forms or charges and no rejection letters! To get started, simply go to the page on this website for the subject you’re interested in, register and enrol, and then you can start learning. No Stress The only exams and assessments at uneOpen are the ones you choose to do. If you’re only interested in absorbing the subject material and you don’t wish to sit exams and do assignments, then that’s exactly what you can do. What’s more it won’t cost you a thing so you won’t have fees to stress about either. No Timetables At uneOpen, you can study at your own pace. You can review the subject material any time day or night so you don’t need to worry about missing a lecture. No Obligation Registering for a uneOpen subject gives you access to that subject but does not commit you to anything. There are no withdrawal fees or academic penalties and no re-admittance fees when you come back so you can come and go as you please. The only charges are for premium services which are completely optional.

A new Innovation Index released today puts teaching and learning ahead of ‘technology and excitement’ when it comes to digital innovations for the classroom.

Building on the work that Fullan introduced in his book Stratosphere the Innovation Index has been designed as a practical evaluation tool for those charged with making decisions in schools – K-12 in the U.S. and primary to secondary in the UK  – about what technologies to invest in and when. It helps users evaluate the innovation in three dimensions – pedagogy, system change potential and use of technology.  

In 2012, Nesta’s Decoding Learning report argued that education technology should be designed around how students learn, cautioning that in many cases technology is currently being used to support existing teaching practices, rather than transform teaching and learning.

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