The development of medical MOOCs in China: current situation and challenges

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the current situation and challenges on the development of medical massive open online courses (MOOCs) in China. A survey was constructed and the statistical analysis was adopted to evaluate the medical MOOCs. The results showed that the medical MOOC-related journal papers, conference papers, books and dissertations have risen dramatically over the past five years. In addition, the top 6 most representative MOOC platforms provide the majority (87%) of medical courses. The statistical analysis showed that PMPH-MOOC was the most influential medical MOOC platform in China. Compared to the foreign medical MOOCs, medical MOOCs in China were urgently in need of systemic planning, interaction activities and international certification. Overall, the findings suggest that the development of medical MOOCs for higher education has been achieved a great success along with a huge challenge.

Comparison of the influence of massive open online courses and traditional teaching methods in medical education in China: A meta‐analysis

“…These courses provide interactive platforms like forums to support community interactions among participants and teachers. 11,43 In China, the advantages of MOOCs are meaningful to solve the problem of too many students in a class, and fully mobilize participants' positive factors. In addition, the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) highlights the importance of MOOCs and other online courses.…”

“…The present study introduces the current research on MOOCs in medical education in China to our colleagues in the world with the lower language barrier. These courses provide interactive platforms like forums to support community interactions among participants and teachers 11,43 . In China, the advantages of MOOCs are meaningful to solve the problem of too many students in a class, and fully mobilize participants' positive factors.…”

“…8 Some educators have tried to introduce MOOCs into higher medical education to improve the education effectiveness. [9][10][11] Medical students or junior residents could learn medical knowledge and clinical skills through MOOCs in multiple online platforms without a size limit. 10 While high-quality teaching resources are shared in a wider range, the interaction and feedback of participants also makes these resources better and better.…”

“…How to improve teaching quality is still the key problem in medical colleges and universities 8 . Some educators have tried to introduce MOOCs into higher medical education to improve the education effectiveness 9–11 . Medical students or junior residents could learn medical knowledge and clinical skills through MOOCs in multiple online platforms without a size limit 10 .…”

MOOCs at the Crossroads: A Literature Review and Reflection Drawing upon Discourse Analysis

“…Though the term MOOC was originally coined by George Siemens and Stephen Downes in the fall of 2008 in organizing a course on 'connectivism and connective knowledge' at the University of Manitoba, Canada (Gong, 2018), the MOOC market reached a significant size from 2012 on, when the number of MOOC-platform providers and MOOC offerings substantially took the ascending form they have today.…”