A MOOC approach for training researchers in developing countries

Ravi Murugesan; Andy Nobes; Joanna Wild

doi:10.5944/openpraxis.9.1.476

A MOOC approach for training researchers in developing countries

Open Praxis

Volume 9 (2017): Issue 1

By: Ravi Murugesan , Andy Nobes and Joanna Wild

Open Access

|Jan 2017

Abstract

We report on an online course in research writing offered in a massive open online course (MOOC) format for developing country researchers. The concepts of cognitive presence, teacher presence, and social presence informed the design of the course, with a philosophy of strong social interaction supported by guest facilitators. The course was developed with low-bandwidth elements and hosted on a Moodle site. It was offered twice as a MOOC and 2830 learners from more than 90 countries, mainly in the developing world, took part. The average completion rate was 53%. Female learners and learners who were active in the forums were more likely to complete the course. Our MOOC approach may be a useful model for continuing professional development training in the developing world.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5944/openpraxis.9.1.476 | Journal eISSN: 2304-070X

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Language: English

Page range: 45 - 57

Submitted on: Nov 7, 2016

Accepted on: Feb 14, 2017

Published on: Jan 1, 2017

Published by: International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

MOOC,

higher education,

researchers,

developing countries,

continuing professional development,

Moodle

© 2017 Ravi Murugesan, Andy Nobes, Joanna Wild, published by International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 9 (2017): Issue 1