ERIC Number: EJ1124890
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Jan
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1302-6488
EISSN: N/A
Connectivity of Learning in MOOCs: Facilitators' Experiences in Team Teaching
Mercado-Varela, Martin Alonso; Beltran, Jesus; Perez, Marisol Villegas; Vazquez, Nohemi Rivera; Ramirez-Montoya, Maria-Soledad
Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, v18 n1 Article 10 p143-156 Jan 2017
The role of facilitators in distance learning environments is of substantial importance in supporting the learning process. This article specifically discusses the role of the facilitator in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), which are characterized by their stimulation of learning connections. The study analyzes the experiences of 135 facilitators in hybrid courses (cMOOC + xMOOC) where the following are explored: (1) the strategies used by the facilitators to encourage learning connections, (2) the challenges they faced in their activities, and (3) the basic skills required. A mixed method was used with a convergent design, through the application of a questionnaire qualitative and quantitative data were collected simultaneously. It was found that the collaborative construction of knowledge is the most widely used strategy to promote learning connections in MOOCs and that its design is the biggest challenge that facilitators faced while carrying out their activities.
Descriptors: Online Courses, Large Group Instruction, Distance Education, Facilitators (Individuals), Role, Blended Learning, Educational Strategies, Skill Development, Mixed Methods Research, Questionnaires, Learning Processes, Open Education, Resource Units, Cooperative Learning, Learning Theories, Social Networks
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A