What is C21U offering and who can participate?

The Center for 21st Century Universities is proud to announce that in Fall 2011 Georgia Tech will offer its first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for students interested in learning more about Instructional Technology. This course is open to anyone in the world, but only a select few—including students at Georgia Tech—are given credit for it. 

What is a MOOC?

If you’re still reading, you’re probably asking, “That’s great. So what’s a MOOC?” A MOOC is a form of computer-mediated learning with each week’s lecturer providing course materials and discussion topics (streamed online) on that week’s theme. After each lecture, students are required to engage in the discussion; this can be in the form of a blog post, a vlog, a forum discussion or other interactions. Students will be evaluated based on their level of engagement within the community.

A MOOC differs from traditional distance-learning classrooms in a few key ways. In addition to allowing any interested parties to participate, all of the content produced from the course is shared by everyone involved. A MOOC is participatory—learners contribute to the class by building on the topics discussed, researching those topics further and then creating their own relevant content, which other students then comment on, critique, connect and share, creating a community of content shared by all.

What will the MOOC cover, and how will students be evaluated?

The direction this MOOC will take depends on who participates and how they interact. However, all discussion surrounding this MOOC will focus on the role of instructional technology in forming a student’s digital identity, the role of open learning communities (OLCs), and more.

Who is teaching the course?

Interested students can find a list of course facilitators plus many other details (course outline, discussion threads, blog posts, etc.) at the MOOC’s website: http://GTMOOC.com

How much does it cost?

Nothing! There is no cost to enroll.

Who is eligible to enroll?

Everyone. Like many Georgia Tech seminars, this MOOC promises to be of interest to undergraduate and graduate students alike, and all are welcome. And there is no class size limit—in fact, we invite all interested Georgia Tech students to participate. The MOOC is a 4-credit course divided over two semesters (2 and 2); the course numbers are CS 4802 ELT (CRN92449) and CS 8802 ELT (CRN92450). To register, visit the MOOC website:http://GTMOOC.com

If you have not already registered, here is what you should do:

1. Subscribe to this blog, so that you can follow posts, comment on discussions and register your presence.  There is a button in the side bar of this page for your convenience. If you do not want to be identified, then subscription is not required to participate in the MOOC.
2. Visit this page to register for the MOOC
3. If you are registered at Georgia Tech, visit your T-Square page for additional information.
4. If you are part of the Georgia Tech community and would like to be added to T-Square, send an email message containing your preferred Georgia Tech email address to me with the subject line ADDME.
5. Watch your email for updates and announcements

Who do I contact for more information?

For more information, contact Emily Ivey at emily.ivey@cc.gatech.edu or visit the MOOC website at http://GTMOOC.com