Combining mLearning, connectivism and the MOOC format to fit contemporary learning realities,

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

The International Review of Research in OPen and Distance Learning

Athabasca University – Canada's Open University

Año: 2011 vol. 12 p. 94 - 115

1492-3831

This paper looks at how the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) format, which was developed byconnectivist researchers and enthusiasts, can fit the characteristics of mobile learning (mLearning). The authorssuggest that there are similarities between the learning affordances of both mLearning and MOOCs, making acombination of both fields ideal for contemporary, digital, collaborative learning and knowledge construction.The MobiMOOC was a six weeks course focusing on mLearning which ran in April and May 2011. The coursewas freely accessible for all and was fully available online. In this paper a full description is given of what theMobiMOOC experience was. The authors share some of the data of the final survey to support the idea thatthe combination of MOOCs and mLearning strengthen knowledge construction in general and informal andlifelong learning in particular. The paper will zoom in on time and location independency, contextual learning,collaborative learning, the potential of interdisciplinary information exchange and contemporary technologyfor learning online e.g. social media, mobile devices. As MOOCs and mLearning are both emerging and fairlyinnovative ideas, the paper also includes suggestions for further research.