Examining the Learning Networks of a Mooc

Abstract

Massive open online courses, better known and hereby referred to as MOOCs, are in a unique position for educational research because of their wide range of participants, the differences in those participants' demographics, yet their instantaneous formation of a global community through learning networks. Traditionally marginalized learners of higher education now have the opportunity to access courses taught by internationally highly ranked institutions, taken with peers across different cultures and countries. Their knowledge networks and contributions to one another's learning experiences are rich with positive learning opportunities unique to online educational directives. Effective research of these networks may put MOOC curators in a better position to cultivate these networks as effective learning opportunities for those often marginalized from quality higher education.A MOOC is typically offered by higher education institutions in partnership with an established online platform such as Coursera, edX, or Udacity. There are thousands of students in a single course, all of whom have a part in teaching each other and grading one another's work. Because of these attributes, Baggaley (2013) argues, "judging by the MOOC's rapid international adoption, it is the most easily implemented form of education ever invented" (p. 368). The questions this study poses are how the learning networks formed in MOOCs aid learning and how this affects both the individual and collective participant experience, particularly that of the typically marginalized learner.According to much of the literature, positive learning networks have the ability to enhance understanding and empower learners, which may contribute to their lifelong learning attributes. For MOOCs, it is the hope of their open structure and easily adopted platform usage that learning networks can be easily formed and positively used by all participants. In order to ensure this is happening, however, and particularly for users traditionally marginalized from higher education, it is crucial to carefully C h a p t e r 8

Indigenous pedagogies and online learning environments: a massive open online course case study

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E-Learning Evolution and Development From the Perspectives of Technology, Education, and Economy

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