The OER Knowledge Cloud makes use of cookies. By continuing, you consent to this use. More information.
The discrete optimization MOOC: An exploration in discovery-based learning
Coffrin, Carleton and Hentenryck, Pascal Van

Alternate titleIssue No.37 Experiences and best practices in and around MOOCs
PublishedMarch 2014
JournaleLearning Papers
Volume 37, Issue March 2014, Pages 51-56
Publisherelearningeuropa.info
Original PublicationEMOOCS 2014 conference
EditorsUllmo, Pierre-Antoine and Koskinen, Tapio
CountrySpain

ABSTRACT
The practice of discrete optimization involves modeling and solving complex problems which have never been encountered before and for which no universal computational paradigm exists. Teaching such skills is challenging: students must learn not only the core technical skills, but also an ability to think creatively in order to select and adapt a paradigm to solve the problem at hand.
This paper explores the question of whether the teaching of such creative skills translates to Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). It first describes a discovery-based learning methodology for teaching discrete optimization, which has been successful in the classroom for over fifteen years. It then evaluates the success of a MOOC version of the class via data analytics enabled by the wealth of information produced in the MOOC.

Keywords computer science education · discovery-based learning · MOOC · problem solving skills

Published atBarcelona
ISSN1887-1542
RefereedYes
Rightsby-nc-nd/3.0
URLhttp://openeducationeuropa.eu/en/article/The-Discrete-Optimization-MOOC%3A-An-Exploration-in-Discovery-Based-Learning?paper=136477
Export optionsBibTex · EndNote · Tagged XML · Google Scholar



AVAILABLE FILES
From-field_37_2.pdf · 743.4KB86 downloads



Viewed by 301 distinct readers




CLOUD COMMUNITY REVIEWS

The evaluations below represent the judgements of our readers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Cloud editors.

Click a star to be the first to rate this document


POST A COMMENT
SIMILAR RECORDS

The impact and reach of MOOCs: A developing countries’ perspective
Liyanagunawardena, Tharindu Rekha; Williams, Shirley; Adams, Andrew; Koskinen, Tapio; Mor, Yishay
Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are a recent but hugely popular phenomenon in the online learning world. They are hailed by many as a solution for the developing world’s lack of access to education because MOOCs ...
Match: MOOC; Spain

Effect of free certificate discontinuation in completion rates of MOOC
Despujol, Ignacio M.; Turró, Carlos; Castañeda, Linda; Busquets, Jaime; et al.
Completion rates have been a controversial topic since Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) became mainstream in 2012. In January 2016, based in previous trials, edx.org discontinued the free honor code certificate for ...
Match: MOOC; Spain

Reluctant mathematician: Skills-based MOOC scaffolds wide range of learners
Lambert, Sarah
The University of Wollongong’s first locally developed and hosted Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) “The Reluctant Mathematician” was run in the last four weeks of our summer holiday, prior to Autumn session in ...
Match: MOOC

New models of open and distributed learning
Downes, Stephen; Jemni, Mohamed; Kinshuk; Khribi, Mohamed Koutheair
The last 100 years have seen a significant transformation in the way we understand teaching and learning. This chapter documents that change. We now understand that learning is neither merely the passive reception of ...
Match: MOOC

Extending the MOOC footprint: Supporting capacity building in India
Wolfenden, Freda; Cross, Simon; Henry, Fiona
This paper describes how we addressed the broader programme demands in the design and delivery of the TESS-India MOOC to attract over 10,000 registered participants and a completion rate of 51%. We draw on multiple ...
Match: MOOC

Using mLearning and MOOCs to understand chaos, emergence, and complexity in education
de Waard, Inge; Abajian, Sean C.; Gallagher, Michael; Hogue, Rebecca; et al.
In this paper, we look at how the massive open online course (MOOC) format developed by connectivist researchers and enthusiasts can help analyze the complexity, emergence, and chaos at work in the field of education ...
Match: MOOC

Conclusions of construction and development of MOOCs in China
Zheng, Qinhua; Chen, Li; Burgos, Daniel
On the whole, China has made remarkable achievements in construction of MOOCs, but it is also facing serious challenges. In the following parts, we are going to start from the perspective of the sustainable development ...
Match: MOOC

Merging MOOC and mLearning for increased learner interactions
de Waard, Inge; Koutropoulos, Apostolos; Hogue, Rebecca J.; Abajian, Sean C.; et al.
In this paper, the authors suggest the merger of the Massively Open Online Course (MOOC) format and mobile learning (mLearning) based on mutual affordances of both contemporary learning/teaching formats to investigate ...
Match: MOOC

MOOC, OER e l’approccio “flipped classroom”: due case study di transizione in ambito scolastico e aziendale
Sancassani, Susanna; Casiraghi, Daniela; Corti, Paola; Trentinaglia, Nicoletta
La portata innovativa dei MOOC non esaurisce la sua rilevanza nell’ambito dei processi di apprendimento che si svolgono in rete. Uno dei principali obiettivi che ha mosso grandi università quali Stanford o MIT ad ...
Match: MOOC

The MOOC potential to address European challenges in CPD and continuous education
Pitt, Rebecca; Friedl, Christian; Jansen, Darco; Driha, Oana; et al.
Despite being a relatively new phenomenon, MOOCs have started to be employed not just within higher education systems, but also within a corporate context for recruiting and training of new employees, human resource ...
Match: MOOC