moocs in the news: the real story behind the irish story

MOOCs in the NewsThe ‘Real’ Story

Behind the Irish StoryMark.brown@dcu.ie

Eamon.costello@dcu.ie Enda.donlon@dcu.ie

Mairead.nighiollamichil@dcu.ie28th April 2016 – Global Learn Conference, Limerick

Dublin City University• National Institute for Digital Learning• Research and Development• EU projects: Home and SCORE2020

“A story is never just a story – it is a statement of belief and of morality” (Pinar, 2014).

MOOCs in the News

Pinar, W. (2014). Curriculum: Toward new identities. London: Routledge.

Why?

“The National Strategy for Higher Education recommends that if Ireland is to raise levels of lifelong learning and higher education attainment, more is needed in terms of increased flexibility and innovation, broader routes of access and a model of funding that supports all students equally, regardless of mode or duration of study” (HEA, 2012, p.6).

What we know

http://www.onlinecoursereport.com/state-of-the-mooc-2016-a-year-of-massive-landscape-change-for-massive-open-online-courses/

• Who is telling the MOOC story?• What story is being told? • How is the story being told? • Whose story is not being told?• Whose interests are being served

by the story?

Research Questions

About the Study• Methodology

• Media Sources

• Discourse Analysis Protocol

- 20 Analysis Items

- Descriptive | Interpretative

- Revolutionary | Evolutionary

- Major Drivers

n = 77

97%

3%

Type of Reporting

DescriptiveInvestigative

2% 20%

78%

Stance Adopted

NegativeNeutralPositive

Revolution35%

Evolution19%Minimal

12%

Not Stated35%

Level of Disruption

Elite

73%

Non Elite27%

Institutional Status

Completion rates

MOOCLab (2016) UK MOOC Report http://www.mooclab.club/Reports/UK%20MOOC%20Report%202016.pdf

Course length

Fear of Missing Out

Institutional Branding

Increase Student Recruitment

Extend Access

Reduce Costs

Generate Revenue

Unbundling of Services

Innovation

Curriculum Renewal

Industry Training

Supporting Student Readiness

Promote Research

Not Stated

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Major Drivers

Thank you

Questions?