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The future of MOOC's as a group, we are unsure.

(Pappano, 2012) and (Friedman, 2013) claim that “Nothing has more potential to lift more people out of poverty.”

However, comments made by (Vardi, 2012) are “In fact, the absence of serious pedagogy in MOOCs is rather striking, their essential feature being short, unsophisticated video chunks, interleaved with online quizzes, and accompanied by social networking".

Within your own level of Professional Development in your given career, whether that be Education or Computer Technology, having the ability to learn in this capacity is a really unique and creative approach. Even if you have no computer equipment or access to WiFi or the internet in general, there are so many places that offer access...if you have a desire to learn the topic, the MOOC is a great way.

But, within the college setting, we are not so sure it will be an accredited way to secure college credits, espically with your bigger universities.

One question we did encounter, if the courses are free and continue to be free...what is the return on investment for the business's, schools, or the individuals creating the courses? What is their incentive for the continued development?

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Available here.

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Use videos for blended or flipped classrooms

Differentiate learning - students can move at their own pace

Explore topics outside of the curriculum - during Genius Hours, for example

Explore curricular topics more deeply

Use as an additional source of reliable information

Image taken from http://planetecore.blogspot.com/2014/10/what-heck-is-mooc.html

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Individual Personal Professional Development

Offers opportunities to refresh content

Encourages innovative ideas

Models lifelong learners

Collaboration with peers

Connects our learning to our teaching

Photo Credit: http://www.iimb.ernet.in/node/14730

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What MOOC would you choose to take and why?

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What MOOC would you choose to take and why?

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Becca - I found edX courses that offer various courses through various subjects.   Many courses cover classic novels that I haven’t read in years or at all.  This would be fun to take with my husband as at one time we would read a novel together.    I also found one about grammar!  This might really help give me more insight in this subject and challenge me a bit.  These are archived classes, but maybe I can keep checking this site for future possibilities!
Breanne - One course that I was particularly interested in was a course offered by the SmithsonianX called Teaching Historical Inquiry with Objects. I choose this course because, as a teacher, I am always interested in learning new ways to help engage students in the content.
Michelle - I’m interested in “A Crash Course on Creativity,” offered by Stanford. Listen here to learn why.
Tim - I’m interested in a course called “Programming Basics” offered by the the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Bombay. As a future Information Specialist (School Librarian) I feel like it’s important for me to have at least a basic understanding of programming.
Travis - I’m interested in a course called "Android Apps in 1 hour", it is offered from Stone River eLearning based in the USA. I feel like this would be a great introduction course for not only myself professionally, but also for my students. What a great way to get students into computer programming by allowing an opportunity for success to build interest.

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MOOCs:

Help eliminate barriers to access to information and level the playing field

Provide access to high quality material/content from reputable universities

Are open to everyone/anyone

Have no prerequisites

Are free or low cost

Are asynchronous and self-paced, which works well for busy students

Offer online options that eliminate travel costs and time away from family

Offer blended options as well

Are scale-able to a large number of participants

Offer a wide range of courses to address many interests and learning styles

Are a good tool for professional development and continuing education