tell session: busting through the maze: building and supporting our first mooc

Busting Through the Maze:

Building and Supporting our First MOOC

Sharon Hu, UBCIan Linkletter, UBC

"This course will enable educators to envision how Indigenous ways of knowing, content, perspectives, and pedagogies can be made part of classrooms, schools, and communities in ways that are thoughtful and respectful."

Course Staff

Instructor: Dr. Jan HareTeaching Assistant: Sara DavidsonTeaching Assistant: Anita Parhar

Advisory Group

DeDe DeRose, Kamloops School DistrictDiane Jubinville, District Aboriginal Principal, Delta School DistrictGail Stromquist, Aboriginal Education, British Columbia Teacher’s FederationDr. Jo-ann Archibald, Associate Dean of Indigenous Education, UBCStarleigh Grass, First Nations Education Steering CommitteeDon Fiddler, District Aboriginal Principal, Vancouver School Board

Dr. Jo-ann ArchibaldKaleb ChildLarry GrantPeggy JanickiDr. Verna KirknessVirginia Morgan

Dr. Cynthia NicholGerry OlemanDr. Jean PhillipsShane PointeRoberta PryceDr. Andrew Schofield

Contributors

Development Staff

Team Lead: Natasha BoskicMultimedia Producer: Sharon HuVideo Production: UBC StudiosTech Lead: Ian LinkletterGraphic Designer: Bill PickardQuality Assurance: Eleanor HoskinsQuality Assurance: Austin LeeQuality Assurance: Andrea Gonzalez

Barry MagrillHeather McGregorJeff MillerJason MyersNicole RonanDerek WhiteJenny Wong

Saeed DyanatkarMark EdwardsWill EngleMairin KerrGregor KiczalesSarah LockmanBeni Loti

Our Students: Who are they?

Our Students: Who are they?

● 8316 students from 134 countries

● 5334 from Canada (64%)● 892 from US (10%)● 152 from Australia

Our Students: Learning Goals

Guiding Principle: Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning

Multiple ways of representation

Multiple ways of expression

Multiple ways of engagement

Multiple Ways of Representation

Use a variety of delivery methods and learning approaches


Provide transcription for video content


Allow the videos and transcripts to be downloaded


Create corresponding YouTube playlists

Mobile AccessibilityMultiple ways of representation

Multiple Means of Expression

Encourage different ways for students to interact with each other.

Design activities that allow for active participation, exploration, and experimentation.


Use a Variety of Learning Activities


Progression of the complexity of activities

Multiple Means of Engagement

Capture the students’ attention through a variety of different teaching methods and learning activities


Embed activities after each segment of content


Concluding video at the end of the modules


Flat hierarchy in the discussion forum


Pin the most insightful comments/FAQ to the top

Lessons Learned: Media Production

Tracking filming scheduleLessons Learned: Media Production

Tracking transcription & edX scheduleLessons Learned: Media Production

Embedded/linked Videos Vs. Uploaded Videos


Vs.

Auto-generate transcript Lessons Learned: Media Production

Consent to create transcript (i.e., making a derivative copy)


Consent to re-use the videos in other contexts


Check the video analytics and modify the video accordingly


Lessons Learned: MOOC Delivery

● Getting Oriented● Assessment at Scale● Due Dates and Times● Beta Testing● Grade Allocation● Scaling Support● Acquiring Testimonials

Lessons Learned: Getting Oriented

Lessons Learned: Getting Oriented

● Welcome Announcement

● Walkthrough Videos● Planning Your Weeks

Lessons Learned: Assessment at Scale

How might a peer-assessed assignment lead to frustration? How could it be designed to ensure fair and helpful feedback?


● Walkthrough Video● Example Assignment● Clear Rubric● Multiple

Assessments


● Assignment was clear● Everyone received feedback● Feedback could have been deeper

Lessons Learned: Due Dates and Times


● UTC Clock and Countdown

● Deadline Extensions● The “Fake” Deadline


● Deadline was at midnight on a Saturday● We emailed a reminder on Friday● We planned to make an exception● We extended for one week● Students received an email announcing

this


Initial Deadline: 451 submissions

After Extension: 721 submissions!

625 students ended up completing the first offering..


STICK TO THE PLAN.

Lessons Learned: Beta Testing

Lessons Learned: Beta Testing● Stick to the plan

● Simplify simplify simplify● When testing something new, start

small● Never test on the production

environment● Listen carefully

Lessons Learned: Grade Allocation

Lessons Learned: Scaling Support

Lessons Learned: Acquiring Testimonials

TestimonialsThe discussion posts have been very reflective and encouraging.

I think the course touched many subjects and was easy to understand even for those who have never been in an aboriginal education environment. The material was easily accessible and the assignments were very reflective.

TestimonialsI really appreciated the structure and clarity of the course. Though I already knew a lot that was presented in the content, still, I learned a great deal more. And I had never taken a MOOC! So this was a great opportunity for me to take a course where I did know a great deal about the content previously, but also course acquire some new knowledge about taking an online course. The videos were terrific! And I shared them in my own teaching. Ho'waa

TestimonialsOne area of potential with the MOOC format is that I can see different groups and communities taking this course together and working through the units with organized times for off-line discussions as well as online. I took this course as an individual but found myself bringing the topics and themes into various conversations with friends and colleagues. For that reason, I'd really recommend taking this course with a friend or group of friends to go through together. In fact, I am recommending the course to my teaching colleagues! So much to learn and so many ideas to take straight into an educational environment.