Wake Tech's Introductory Algebra Review MOOC was launched May 1, 2013, and currently has over 8,000 students enrolled. This presentation details the details of creating the MOOC and shares some data about who is taking it and why.
3. “Early” “typical” MOOCs
• Massive Open Online Courses
• First offered by elite universities
• Advanced topics for well-prepared students
• Leaned heavily on videotaped lectures
• Some interaction with graduate assistants
• Thousands enrolled in single course
• Students benefit through knowledge and skills, not credit
—Photo by markandlaura
4. Promise of MOOCs
• Next generation open door
• Individualized just-in-time approach
• Hybrid course facilitation
—Photo by tompagenet
5. Why Developmental Education?
• High need (massive)
• High access (open)
• Completion by Design target population
• NC Developmental Education Initiative
• Gates Foundation MOOC Grant
—Photo by tattycat
6. Wake Tech’s MOOC
• Targets students entering college
• Addresses placement issues
• Begins with the largest developmental group (math)
• Leverages math modules created through NC reform
7. Wake Tech / Udacity PartnershipWake Tech / Udacity Partnership
8. “How the Brain Learns”
“What surprised me was
the way the class was
taught. It was designed
according to how the brain
actually learns. In other
words, it had almost
nothing in common with
most classes I’d taken
before.”
— Amanda Ripley
9. Developing theDeveloping the
MOOCMOOC
• Content specialists identifiedContent specialists identified
• Partnerships/procedures establishedPartnerships/procedures established
• Close communication through processClose communication through process
• Wake Tech instructors write scriptsWake Tech instructors write scripts
• Udacity talent onscreen and off- createUdacity talent onscreen and off- create
productproduct
—Photo by jurvetson
10. How will Wake Tech’s MOOC be used?
• To prepare incoming students for placement or challenge tests
• To justify student placement retest
• To supplement traditional course delivery and facilitate innovative course delivery
• To allow just-in-time remediation
12. Who is Taking the MOOC and Why?
6,086 students were registered as of August 8, 2013
336 student earned a certificate of completion (6%)
963 students completed an entry survey (16% of those who began)
183 students completed an exit survey (3% of those who began, 54% of completers)
Of students who completed the entry survey:
38% were outside of the United States
16% provided a North Carolina zip code
3.4% indicated they were preparing for the Wake Tech placement test
65% indicated they were taking the MOOC for personal development
13. Did Students Meet Their Goals?
6,086 students were registered as of August 8, 2013
336 student earned a certificate of completion (6%)
963 students completed an entry survey (16% of those who began)
183 students completed an exit survey (3% of those who began, 54% of completers)
Of students who completed the exit survey:
92% indicated they would recommend the course
95% indicated that they met their goal
80% indicated that they had no challenges in completing the course
45% indicated that they had no suggestions to improve the course or that the
course needed no improvement
14. Quality Matters Review
While the course did not earn the QM certification, here are some reviewer comments:
“… While the course has not met QM standards in its entirety, this is definitely one
course that makes the learning of Algebra fun and relatively easy to comprehend. It's
painless learning, at the best. I wish all students had the opportunity to take this
course.”
“Technical skills are not explicitly stated; however, the course does not require any
special technology or skills, making such a statement unnecessary.”
“The evaluation of student work is ongoing and immediate within each problem found
within all lesson and sub-lesson topics. Student responses generate either a "Correct"
or a Try Again" response following each answer submission. Each time, there is an
opportunity to review the specified lesson narrative that accompanies each problem.
The course format of presenting the content, assessing the student achievement of
that content, providing immediate feedback on the correct solution, and then allowing
the content to be reviewed is one of the course's strengths …”
15. Quality Matters Review
More nice comments ….
“I love the format of the course! The presentation is clean, consistent and very easy to
understand. At no point was unsure what was expected of the learner. Concepts are
explained clearly and accurately.”
“Not only do the instructional materials have sufficient breadth and depth, but the
instructional narrative and graphics in this course make it one of the best courses for
teaching elementary Algebra concepts that I have encountered.”
“Interactive learning opportunities that support active learning are found on each page
of the lesson segments where participants must respond correctly in order to move to
the next lesson segment. Discussion forums also allow for participants to interact with
instructors and other participants over individual lesson segments. In addition, Meetups
allow participants to further discuss lesson applications and work together to build
understanding …”
