Creating a model for the establishment of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

2016 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K12922
• Research Institution: Nanzan University
• Principal Investigator: CRIPPS Anthony 南山大学, 外国語学部, 教授 (20352437)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): O・Connell Sean 南山大学, 総合政策学部, 准教授 (40580824)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: MOOCs / Online / E-learning / Distance learning / Innovation

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

The second stage of this research project widened the scope of the study. An additional group of students (n=20) at Nanzan University was recruited to take part in online courses using the FutureLearn and Udacity platforms respectively. Data on the students’ online experience was collected by both researchers through face-to-face interviews and online questionnaires. In addition to individual feedback, focus groups were held before, during, and after the courses were completed. NVivo software was used to facilitate the transcription process and to help collate and highlight key themes from the data. The third stage of this research project focused on an in-depth analysis of the researchers’ findings on the courses such as course construction and material design. The researchers examined students’ experiences with the four MOOC platforms. These findings were complemented by a post-course analysis of the students’ comments. Preliminary findings will be presented at domestic and international conferences. The researchers intend to construct a model for the creation of MOOCs for universities in Japan. This model will provide step-by step guidance for universities on how to set up a MOOC. It is hoped this model will also aid the establishment of inter-institutional MOOCs in the future.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Reflections on ubiquitous learning (2017)
  • Author(s): Cripps, A. C., & O'Connell, S.
  • Journal Title: 15th Hawaii International Education Conference (Proceedings) Volume: 1 Pages: 1-2
  • Open Access
• [Journal Article] Investigating the Construction of MOOCs (Truncated version) (2016)
  • Author(s): Cripps, A. C., & O'Connell, S.
  • Journal Title: IJAS Proceedings Volume: 1 Pages: 1-7
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Acknowledgement Compliant
• [Journal Article] Investigating the Construction of MOOCs (Full version) (2016)
  • Author(s): Cripps, A. C., & O'Connell, S.
  • Journal Title: Journal of Teaching and Education Volume: 1 Pages: 191-204
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Acknowledgement Compliant
• [Presentation] Exploring the Potential of Massive Open Online Courses: Students’ Experiences (2017)
  • Author(s): Cripps, A. C., & O'Connell, S.
  • Organizer: TESOL International Convention and English Language Expo (Seattle, Washington)
  • Place of Presentation: Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Year and Date: 2017-03-22 – 2017-03-22
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Reflections on ubiquitous learning and MOOCs (2017)
  • Author(s): Cripps, A. C., & O'Connell, S.
  • Organizer: 15th International Education Conference
  • Place of Presentation: Hawaii Hilton Village Conference Center, USA
  • Year and Date: 2017-01-04 – 2017-01-04
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Investigating the construction of MOOCs (2016)
  • Author(s): Cripps, A. C., & O'Connell, S.
  • Organizer: International Journal of Arts and Sciences Conference on Teaching and Education
  • Place of Presentation: Ca' Foscari University, Venice, Italy
  • Year and Date: 2016-06-28 – 2016-06-28
  • Int'l Joint Research