scholarly journals Design considerations when adopting the OpenEdx MOOC platform in campus-based courses: A comparative case study

Author(s):  
Laila Zary ◽  
Patrik Hernwall

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are an innovation in higher education (Grajek, 2014). Faculty has challenges in designing MOOCs since most have mainly experience in developing campus-based courses. As MOOC platform are introduced in campus-based courses, it is important to investigate how this learning environment impacts on the design of MOOCs in relation to online environments. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the influence of variations in the learning environment on the design of MOOCs. A comparative case study approach was chosen to investigate two types of learning environments. The focus was on the similarities, differences and trends. The data collection was performed using semi-structured interviews. The answers were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis. The pedagogical approach and learning content were the components that were mostly influenced. The targeted learners and the assessment of the learning activities were partly influenced. The learning environment didn’t impact on the course description, intended learning outcomes and aimed competencies. The study contributed to knowledge on the influence of the learning environment on the design of MOOCs. Increasing understanding of the learning environment among faculty will contribute to a better design, implementation and evaluation of MOOCs and ultimately for the students’ benefit.

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laila Zary ◽  
Patrik Hernwall

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are an innovation in higher education (Grajek, 2014). Faculty has challenges in designing MOOCs since most have mainly experience in developing campus-based courses. As MOOC platform are introduced in campus-based courses, it is important to investigate how this learning environment impacts on the design of MOOCs in relation to online environments. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the influence of variations in the learning environment on the design of MOOCs. A comparative case study approach was chosen to investigate two types of learning environments. The focus was on the similarities, differences and trends. The data collection was performed using semi-structured interviews. The answers were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis. The pedagogical approach and learning content were the components that were mostly influenced. The targeted learners and the assessment of the learning activities were partly influenced. The learning environment didn’t impact on the course description, intended learning outcomes and aimed competencies. The study contributed to knowledge on the influence of the learning environment on the design of MOOCs. Increasing understanding of the learning environment among faculty will contribute to a better design, implementation and evaluation of MOOCs and ultimately for the students’ benefit.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer W.M. Lai ◽  
Matt Bower ◽  
Yvonne Breyer ◽  
John De Nobile

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have been a popular trend in the online learning landscape. However, MOOC learners have expressed their dissatisfaction with the courses or problems with course management. To develop a widely accepted MOOC, the main aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of MOOCs by using eight themes: learning outcomes, affective elements, behaviours, design, technology elements, pedagogy, presence and institutional environment. Using the case study approach, we explored the practices of four MOOCs in an Excel specialisation by using student unsolicited feedback, the literature and the analysis of the MOOCs by researchers. We analysed the learners’ posts on the official forums with auto-code sentiment and text search functions in Nvivo 12 Plus. The results of this study showed that high-rated MOOCs had approximately 74.7% of positive sentiments on discussion forums, with 1.2% negative and 24.1% neutral. The results indicated that MOOCs helped learners improve their level of knowledge in the subject area. Teachers/instructors also play a very significant role, and they have to provide clear explanations in different concepts. To conclude, this study intends to offer guidelines to researchers, educators, and MOOC designers to create successful MOOCs by focusing on the eight dimensions.


Author(s):  
Lisa Carrington ◽  
Lisa Kervin ◽  
Brian Ferry

ClassSim, an online simulation, was developed to support existing teacher education programs by providing pre-service teachers with access to additional classroom experience. This research reports on how pre-service teachers make use of the virtual learning environment to link knowledge from university coursework with field experiences and through this, we are able to examine affordances the virtual environment offers pre-service teacher learning. Andragogy provides a theoretical framework to review and make assumptions about the nature of learning for the participants. A comparative case study approach allows for in-depth comparison of two cohorts of pre-service teachers (first and final year) as they interact with the ClassSim environment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 336
Author(s):  
Riccardo Corrado ◽  
Erica Pretorius ◽  
Gert van der Westhuizen

Currently, some universities in Cambodia are exploring the usage of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which can support education by allowing cost-free independent learning for university students. For effective implementation, it is fundamental to understand the current Cambodian ecosystem, how universities implement MOOCs for teaching, and how students use them for learning. Due to a current gap in the literature on this matter, this research work aims to investigate students’ awareness of MOOCs, usage, and difficulties encountered with their adoption for learning. This research work is a case study of a university in Cambodia, and it adopts a mixed-mode approach involving a quantitative questionnaire, followed by qualitative semi-structured interviews. Currently, many students are not aware of MOOCs, and regarding those using them, they report a low level of organized effort, which points out to the fact that students are in general not very organized and systematic in the way they approach learning using MOOCs. Furthermore, a major issue still lies in the way these courses are implemented in the curriculum and the learning activities, underlined by the type of ICTs affordances currently exploited by the usage of MOOCs for learning.


Multinational profit-making organizations are expected to carry out their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) in order to protect the environment and the safety of people living in the surrounding of their plants. The main aim of this study was to explore the CSR practices of a multinational brewery company in Ethiopia, Heineken brewery, with specific reference to the brewery plant in Kilinto. The researcher explored the CSR practices with respect to Elkington’s CSR triple bottom line and a specific focus on the people and planet perspectives. Relevant literature was reviewed to describe multinational company's CSR practices in developed and developing country's perspectives. The qualitative research method was used in the study with a Case study approach since this research is about a specific case in a specific company. Semi-structured interviews, observation, and document analysis were used to collect data. The qualitative content analysis method was used to analyze the qualitative data and describe the meaning. The researcher examined the data in a systematic way in relation to the research questions reducing the data by coding and categorizing to draw meaning. The findings indicate that Heineken lacked balanced CSR practice in its environmental and social CSR practices. Though the company took part in some philanthropic CSR activities, its CSR approach was short term and reactive instead of being proactive. Heineken’s CSR strategy needs modification to customize its global CSR strategies into local contexts to solve local problems. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that Heineken needs to make improvement in its CSR to sustainably address environmental and social needs with stronger community engagement and communicating its CSR efforts through effective PR practice.


Author(s):  
Nancy J. Stone ◽  
Conne Mara Bazley ◽  
Michelle M. Robertson ◽  
Nancy LJ Larson ◽  
Elizabeth L. Blickensderfer ◽  
...  

The increase in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and other “in-the-moment” learning opportunities suggests the need for an understanding of how to effectively design the global learning environment, which includes more than the content, but also includes the modes of delivery or instructional design, as well as the environment in which the learner receives the content. Therefore, not only must the learning environment match the learning content, but also the technologies used and the characteristics of the learners (e.g., engagement, self-regulated learning). Additionally, the likelihood that online learners are multitasking while interacting with the learning material makes it important to understand other aspects of the learners’ selected environment. Unfortunately, there is little research on the learners’ environment in which the student interacts with the online materials. The purpose of this panel is to address and highlight these issues and offer suggestions for designing effective global learning environments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 130-146
Author(s):  
Nuri Kara ◽  

COVID-19 has affected university students’ learning experiences on a great scale. The aim of this study was to understand the enablers and barriers to the effectiveness of online learning in a university course during the COVID-19 pandemic, using a qualitative case study approach. Participants were 44 first-year university students enrolled in a digital game history and analysis course at a private university. Structured and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the data, which were then organized and transcribed into full text. Inductive data analysis was applied with content analysis. The researcher used axial coding to compose themes by considering the commonalities among codes created. Five main themes emerged, namely online content, online assignments, online assessment, instructor behavior and practices, and psychological issues. Based on the findings, taking online courses at home and joining online classes from home positively affected students’ mood during the lockdown. On the other hand, students declared feeling pressure due to many online courses. All themes and codes are reported in detail together with direct quotations from students.


2012 ◽  
pp. 285-302
Author(s):  
Lisa Carrington ◽  
Lisa Kervin ◽  
Brian Ferry

ClassSim, an online simulation, was developed to support existing teacher education programs by providing pre-service teachers with access to additional classroom experience. This research reports on how pre-service teachers make use of the virtual learning environment to link knowledge from university coursework with field experiences and through this, we are able to examine affordances the virtual environment offers pre-service teacher learning. Andragogy provides a theoretical framework to review and make assumptions about the nature of learning for the participants. A comparative case study approach allows for in-depth comparison of two cohorts of pre-service teachers (first and final year) as they interact with the ClassSim environment.


2021 ◽  
pp. 097300522199143
Author(s):  
Sneha Kumari ◽  
Nisha Bharti ◽  
K. K. Tripathy

Indian agriculture has always been less profitable. Several factors contribute to the low profitability in agriculture, but less value addition, weak value chain system and weak market linkage are some of the most important factors. Producer companies are helping small farmers to emerge in the market. The farmer producer organisations (FPOs) linked with the producer companies are the best example of collective actions. The collective actions for the agriculture value chain (AVC) have resulted in a decrease in the cost and an increase in revenue. FPO and producer company find a good place in the underpinning theory of collective action theory. This study examines various successful examples of strengthening AVC through cooperatives and tried to identify various factors responsible for the success of these collectives. This study has adopted a case study approach. Three successful cases, that is, Vasundhara Agriculture Horticulture Producer Company Ltd: a multi-state FPO, Abhinav Farms Club and Sahyadri Farmer Producer Company have been selected for the case study based on their successful interventions for strengthening the agriculture value chain. Primary and secondary data has been collected through telephonic interviews from the board of directors, chairman and the members of the FPO. Both primary and secondary data have been collected to compare the three cases for AVC models. The data has been analysed using a comparative case study approach. The parameters of AVC have been identified using the Delphi technique. The study has found that collective actions have helped the farmers to strengthen the agriculture value chain. The study also concluded that leadership played an important role in defining the success of the FPOs. The study brings out future directions to excel in AVC through collectives.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3132
Author(s):  
Leo Aldianto ◽  
Grisna Anggadwita ◽  
Anggraeni Permatasari ◽  
Isti Raafaldini Mirzanti ◽  
Ian O. Williamson

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the disruption of the global economic sector, including for startup businesses. This encourages entrepreneurs to carry out a continuous innovation process to become more ambidextrous and continue to innovate in an effort to futureproof their business. The paper aims to provide a business resilience framework by exploring capability (innovation ambidexterity, dynamic capability, and technology capability), behavior (agile leadership), and knowledge (knowledge stock) in startup businesses. This study uses a literature review synthesis to gain a greater understanding of startup resilience and its implementation. This study also uses a case study approach in building a framework by obtaining data from semi-structured interviews with three startups owners in Indonesia. This preliminary research has identified four propositions that will be used to develop questionnaires and data collection instruments. Thus, this study provides new insights on how startups can overcome contradictory pressures for business resilience in anticipating, dealing with, and emerging from business turbulence due to the Covid-19 pandemic by considering the factors proposed in this study. The implications and recommendations of this study are also discussed in detail.


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