Software tools for optics massive open online courses

Abstract

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) provide anyone with an Internet connection easy access to a wealth of learning and computer training opportunities. Optics and photonics devices are frequently used in numerous academic fields and industries. Therefore, a MOOC approach to optics education would be beneficial to many students, researchers, and professionals all over the world, as this would empower personal and professional development with global reach. As part of online education, students can learn professional computer modeling tools and use them for completing course assignments. In this paper, several optical design packages are reviewed and evaluated for their applicability to MOOC optics education in terms of availability, functionality, and wealth of training resources. An example of an optics MOOC case-study is also presented.

Guest editorial: Distance learning, MOOCs and globalisation of engineering education

“…This could be due to the expertise of the guest editorial team, but it is also true that MOOCs continue to receive a lot of attention in the Computer-Assisted Education research community, as Yousef and Summer [1] point out in this volume. Nevertheless, the use of MOOCs in the specific domain of Engineering Education was somewhat under-researched when the call was launched, which is reflected in this special issue with a number of relevant contributions such as Sahin's [14] analysis of optics software teaching tools, the studies on how learners interact in discussion forums [9,11], learners' behaviour and performance when watching online lecture videos [8], technologyenhanced interventions to increase engineering learners' engagement [2,12], including the best approaches to feedback for those with difficulties [16] and those whose English is not their first language [13].…”