xMOOCs and cMOOCs

OK, so I finished the first course on MOOC Basics through Sloan-C.  I received a certificate.  That was interesting since I pushed in on Wednesday and had to finish by Saturday.  They were sure I couldn't get anything out of the course in that time, but I insisted.  I completed at the 100% level.  It wasn't difficult.  I had to watch a few videos, take two quizzes and participate at least twice in each of the two online discussions.  I'm not sure how many people registered for this class, but from the discussions, I'm guessing 25-30.  The most important thing I learned was that there are two kinds of MOOCs.

An xMOOC is pretty much like an old style seated class.  Everything is in video lectures, PowerPoints, quizzes, and some online discussion.  This is what my class was like.  No serious interaction was required either with the instructor or with the class mates. Not that it was bad, just not exciting.  A cMOOC requires interaction between students and some project work either alone or with others.  My other class, the Change, Innovation, and Creativity MOOC through Coursera and Penn State is more like a cMOOC though some of the same factors exist - video lectures (short - 5 min), slides, and online discussions.  When I signed up there were 18,500 students, but now there are 120,000 in this 8 week course.  We have the opportunity to start a discussion and see if others are interested.  I'm participating in a discussion of how to take creativity into organizations.  I have already taught some of the projects suggested - such as Tower Building - so I chose to work on my personal problem solving project of getting published.  The project is structured over time to get you to produce a final result.  Should be fun - and good for me.

What's a MOOC?

 I have heard about these Massive Open Online classes, but it is hard to imagine a class with 18,000 students!  How do they communicate with the instructor?  Or do they?  How do they get grades? Are there grades? How do the instructors know who has done what?  Is there any interaction between students?  Is it a series of video lectures and PowerPoint presentations?  What about homework?  Are there class presentations?  

The courses are free.  How do instructors get paid?  How does the supporting college or university make money?  I have heard that the students who want credit for the course have to take a test in a location where they must prove their identity.  Otherwise, you don’t know who actually did the work to get the credit.  And what is the cost of credit?  Is it the same as a seated class or an ordinary online class?

There are so many questions, I decided to experience it for myself.  Penn State is offering a MOOC on creativity in Coursera.  I have signed up.  I do have a Master of Science in Creative Studies, and I teach the subject, so I really don’t need the course except to satisfy my curiosity.  I also signed up for a course in how to do a MOOC to get the “behind the scenes” view in case I would like to run one.  Many people have asked that I keep them informed about both courses so I am starting this blog to journal the processes.  Stay tuned!