The MOOC Model: Types

The three types of MOOC: the cMOOC, the xMOOC and the tMOOC, which are described below.

 

The cMOOC

It represents the first experiences with MOOCs, in particular that of Siemens and Downes. Learning is generated from the exchange of information, experience and knowledge, thanks to participation in a joint training process through intense interaction facilitated by technology. . Different means of interaction are used, such as social networks, blogs, wikis, messaging and any other that allows you to achieve the intended objectives. 

This model is based, from a theoretical point of view, on the connectivism proposed by Siemens whose principles are:

• Learning and knowledge depend on the diversity of opinions.
• Learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or sources of information.
• Learning can reside in non-human devices.
• The ability to know more is more critical than what is known at any given time.
• Feeding and maintaining connections are necessary to facilitate continuous learning.
• The ability to see connections between areas, ideas and concepts is a key skill.
• Updating (accurate and current knowledge) is the intent of all connectivist learning activities.

The xMOOC

It is based on a training model focused, first of all, on the transmission of the content that the student is expected to learn, developed from a technological platform (LMS), with compulsory and optional activities and with online evaluation supported by objective tests and in peer assessment on practical application tasks. This type of MOOC is developed by university professors who tend to reproduce the basic activities of the classic face-to-face university teaching model. They use the forum as an interaction strategy between peers to clarify doubts and solve learning problems. Teachers have minimal participation in the process and this is only done at the request of the students themselves to answer certain questions, which must be previously voted on by the members of the learning community. This model is used by the following course aggregators: Coursera, EdX, Udacity, Khan.

The tMOOC

In addition to the two types of MOOCs mentioned above, there is a hybrid or mixed model, focused on the task, called tMOOC, which integrates aspects of the two previous ones and focuses on the development of skills for performance in a certain type of work. .

The theoretical foundation of this type of MOOC is quite close to the constructivist perspective, since it can be seen that knowledge is not transmitted by the teacher or the system, but rather there is a personal effort by the student to appropriate it from their knowledge. interaction with the elements of the learning process; this allows assimilating and internalizing the experience from its previous cognitive structure.

In summary, we could say that the types of MOOCs are similar in the following aspects:

They all have the three basic elements: networks, content and tasks, but each model emphasizes one of these elements more than the others.

They are all based on the Internet and other ICT resources, which makes it possible to obviate the problems of space and time for academic and social interaction, and for the use of instructional materials.

They are usually free or truly accessible and make exchanges between students possible, which facilitates mutual cooperation in the learning process.