‘Massively Open,’ ‘Thousands of learners,’ ‘100% online’ are some of the phrases associated with MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and the picture this brings to mind is one of learners across the world watching videos online. True, that is what the IIMBx MOOCs Programme has been working towards these past three years. But, did you know that a significant percentage of those enrolled in MOOCs comprises teachers? MOOCs do not replace the teacher; MOOCs, in fact, are a powerful teaching aid that can enable teachers make classroom teaching much more engaging.
The IIMBx MOOCs Programme believes that Blended MOOCs are a ‘tradigital’ tool aimed at improving teaching and learning at a massive scale. With the intention of nurturing and nourishing the adoption of MOOCs in the classroom, IIMBx has been conducting ‘Blended MOOCs Faculty Development Programmes’ for faculty from B-schools all over India. To date, IIMBx has reached out to close to 600 faculty exposing them to ways of using MOOC material in their teaching. More recently, IIMBx represented by its Chairperson and Program Manager conducted one such FDP session at St. Joseph’s College of Commerce on ‘Learning Re-imagined’ and ‘Blending the Digital World with Classroom Learning.’
The session was attended by around 40 faculty who were convinced of the need to adapt to the changing economic landscape and the changing face of education for the millennial learner. Success stories of how blended learning has been implemented within IIMB were shared to drive home the point that today’s learner prefer to learn online at home and discuss with faculty in class. The session culminated in a hands-on activity where faculty groups devised and presented their own ‘blended lesson plans.’
Earlier this year, a similar programme was conducted by the IIMBx team at MOP Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai and Vimal Jyothi College, Kannur. Increasingly, Indian faculty are getting geared up to unleash the power of MOOCs in the classroom.
The aim of the IIMBx MOOCs Programme is to:
“Create a space that will give inspiration and intellectual challenge to learners and teachers.”
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