George Siemens, the director of the Learning Innovation and Networked Knowledge Research Lab at the University of Texas Arlington, discusses the innovative approaches and developments that he is exploring in his edX course, Data, Analytics, and Learning. In order to improve the social experience of learners and address common issues in MOOCs, Siemens and his colleagues have:
- Developed a quick helper tool that uses a social recommendation algorithm to match a help request to three potential helpers from the community, with the intent to provide timely help to students and to engage other learners in helping answer questions asked by peers.
- Incorporated the use of a social competency based tool (ProSolo) that will give learners the opportunity to identify learning goals, connect with others around shared goals, and create a pathway for recognition of learning. Learners are also encouraged to participate in their preferred social media spaces, such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter, edX discussion forums, etc.
- Embraced adaptivity through the use of an assignment bank that allows learners to challenge themselves by selecting specific assignments with various gradients of complexity.
- Adopted an open approach by having all materials accessible after the run of the course with the hope that “this will assist in creating a persistent practitioner community where learners will access resources post-course and continue to engage with each other on social media and in ProSolo.”
http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/2014/10/07/innovation-in-open-online-courses/