Exploring the MOOC format as a pedagogical approach for mLearning.(BEST PAPER AWARD)

DEWAARD, I, APOSTOLOS KOUTROPOULOS, NILGÜN ÖZDAMAR KESKIN, SEAN C. ABAJIAN, REBECCA HOGUE, C. OSVALDO RODRIGUEZ, MICHAEL SEAN GALLAGHER

Beijing

Conferencia; 10th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning • mLearn2011; 2011

Beijing Normal University

This paper looks at how the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) format, developed by connectivist researchers and enthusiasts, can help analyze the complexity, emergence, and chaos at work in the field of education today. This is done through the prism of MobiMOOC, a six week course focusing on mLearning running from April-May 2011. MobiMOOC embraced the core MOOC components of self-organization, connectedness, openness, complexity, and the resulting chaos that occurred and, as such, serves as an interesting paradigm for new educational orders that are currently emerging in the field. This paper discusses the nature of participation in MobiMOOC, the use of mobile technology and social media, and how these factors contributed a chaotic learning environment with emerging phenomena. This emerging phenomena resulted in a transformative educational paradigm.