BA Library Online: The Flow and Structure of MOOCS and Online Classes

Here is another throwback post. The 23 Mobile Things is a MOOC created and delivered by librarians from the Philippines and Singapore back in 2014.The MOOC is designed to assist librarians in learning, using and implementing twenty three mobile apps into the services and programs of their libraries. Nanyang Technological University Library and the Rizal Library of ADMU hosted the MOOC.

Five years is a long time ago but there is learning and insight to be had because the contents and the design of the MOOC are still applicable in our current experience of online learning. Do take note that the MOOC is designed for adult learners. But the creators set a structure and a method for communicating content, the learning activities that go with it and an online chat or conversation. There is entrance, engagement and an exit in each "thing".

For example, a Getting Started Page is set-up for participants of the MOOC. A point of entry is then established. In Thing 14, which is about mobile apps for curation like Pinterest Tumblr Storify and Scoopit, curation is briefly introduced and defined. This is followed by thinking and exploratory activities on the four curation apps.Engagement with the content in the form of a text, media and/or technology happens. Facilitators then schedule and lead a group chat or conversation among participants online. A wrap-up of the online chat is the exit or the end of the cycle until the next "thing".

Entrance. Engagement. Exit. That's the structure. The sequence. The flow.

In our last faculty meeting before campus closure, the Head of School (HOS) presented three parts to structure an online class -- Consume, Communicate. Create. It would be interesting to see how this structure or flow translate into practice.