Many of the people who could gain most from open online education lack the necessary study skills and digital literacies to participate effectively. Although most MOOC providers offer some online support services, they cannot provide personal, face-to-face support. Many people are unfamiliar with the principles of online learning and need practical support and advice from a trusted mentor or friend to learn effectively. By forming local support groups, various organisations and communities are providing that vital support to give learners the skills and confidence needed to complete an online course.

This webinar presented a selection of solutions to this issue, such as MOOC Meetups, wrapped MOOCs and support services for refugees.

Questions discussed:

In what ways can closed groups complement and facilitate open learning?
Is intimacy at scale possible?
What kinds of educational eco-systems can be developed around MOOCs?

Keywords

MOOC · MOOC Meetups · MOOC support · open learning · webinar