Librarians go global: how we developed a MOOC

Abstract

In 2014 the Libraries and Learning Services (LLS) at the University of Auckland developed a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in partnership with Futurelearn, a company founded by the Open University, UK. The MOOC content was based on the earlier (2013) compulsory Academic Integrity course, also developed by LLS. The earlier course had attracted international interest, leading to the collaboration with FutureLearn. This opportunity allowed LLS to adapt and develop the original content for a new, global audience. The MOOC was run for the first time in November 2014, with nearly 7000 learners enrolled. It will be run four times in 2015. We will share our experience of developing and delivering the MOOC and some of the hurdles encountered along the way. We will outline how a MOOC differs from a “traditional” online course including the challenges of “globalizing” the content and moderating on a massive scale. We will outline our use of a student- centred approach, including the use of narrative and storytelling to deliver content. The importance of a collaborative approach and development of nontraditional skills in online learning design will also be explored. As librarians are becoming more involved in online learning design, the principles and process of MOOC design outlined here can be readily applied or adapted to any online learning design environment.