Wong, M. (2013) Massive Open Online Courses at UBC, University of British Columbia Centre for Teaching Learning and Technology, January 31
This is an interesting, detailed ‘behind-the-scenes’ look at how the University of British Columbia plans to be offering four MOOCs through Coursera this year:
- Game Theory (jointly with Stanford University, with Dr. Kevin Leyton-Brown (UBC Dept of Computer Science) and Matthew O. Jackson and Yoav Shoham from Stanford University
- Useful Genetics with Dr. Rosie Redfield, UBC Department of Zoology
- Introduction to Systematic Program Design with Dr. Gregor Kiczales, UBC Department of Computer Science
- Climate Literacy: Navigating Climate Conversations” with Dr. Sarah Burch and Dr. Sara Harris, UBC Continuing Studies Centre for Sustainability
Game Theory started last month and has the second highest Coursera enrolment, with 130,000 students enrolled.
The report states:
The four-course pilot will enable UBC to conduct practice-based research initiatives and experiments, which will enhance the learning experience of students in distance, blended, and physical classroom environments.
It should be noted that UBC has considerable experience already in offering for-credit online courses, starting in 1995, and has several fully online graduate programs..
Dr. Tony Bates is the author of eleven books in the field of online learning and distance education. He has provided consulting services specializing in training in the planning and management of online learning and distance education, working with over 40 organizations in 25 countries. Tony is a Research Associate with Contact North | Contact Nord, Ontario’s Distance Education & Training Network.
