Welcome to Module 3:

This module will be about the following topics:

Creating a Collaborative Online Environment
The Role of Social Media in Collaborative Environments
Lessons learned from a Success MOOC/SOOC: Engaging with your Participants

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This is a copyright free image that can be accessed from Pixabay at the following link: https://goo.gl/gJAiVS

Creating a Collaborative Online Environment

There are arguably many ways to create engagement online. Ultimately as the MOOC-ed facilitator it's up to you to decide how this can be done. That being said it does not mean that you creating a collaborative community only lies with you as the facilitator. Developing the engagement factor through different activities will help you succeed with this but participants also have to take an active role. Additionally, you may really enjoy the topic of the MOOC-ed but that does not necessarily mean that all the participants will always have the time or energy to complete all the assignments. You have the choice to alter your approach and apply some of the UDL principles from module 2 and create other opportunities or spaces or support for those that need it.

Additionally, by taking the time to review the results of your entrance survey it's possible to gain information from your participants that helps you reorient the course. We could call this a formative assessment information for the facilitator (I have done this in Module 0 on the Page "How do MOOCs and MOOC-ed Differ?" You might even consider doing a daily check in or create a poll in your G+ Community just to build more social presence into your MOOC-ed and to get people talking and collaborating.

The Role of Social Media in MOOC-ed Collaborative Environments

As social media has penetrated so many aspects of our lives it is natural to understand how this can also be applied to MOOC-eds. Aristotle said, "Man is a Social Animal" but it is important to keep in mind how you plan to develop and monitor this. No one likes signing up for a community just to realize that it's never used. Social media is a powerful tool and offers the ability for participants to make real connections with you and other participants. For this MOOC-ed I decided not to use the discussions board because I found the one in Google+ much more vibrant and engaging. It might be a bit more work but it is worth exploring all your options to ensure participants can collaborate and engage with one another.

Finally, a suggestion that I have been working on to solve the MOOC-ed completion rate issue is the development of a MOOC-ed link-up. As individuals are social and are more motivated when they have an active participant with whom to discuss and share, I believe that a MOOC-ed link up at the beginning of the course has the potential to offer great rewards for the participants as well as the facilitator. If the participants are willing, which is why this should not be obligatory, there should be an option to match them up with another participant. I call this "E-harmony meets your Gym Membership". By linking up participants by their work habits or motivation it is possible to generate an organic collaborative environment within the MOOC-ed. Of course a series of ground rules would need to be established to which the participants would agree (to avoid sketchy individuals) but it has the potential to work. This could also assist the facilitator because it would take the pressure off of that one person having to respond to all participants and being responsible for creating the collaboration. Most individuals naturally want to socialize but at times there needs to be some sort of apparatus in place to help them get to know know another. My suggestion is the MOOC-ed Link up to create a more collaborative online working environment.

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This is a copyright free image from Pixabay which can be accessed at the following link: https://goo.gl/NGMlg7

Lessons Learned from a Successful SOOC/MOOC

The following section discusses three Ways to build a community of engagement with your participants. Last year I took an online course from ISTE's Inclusive learning Network about UDL (Universal Design for Learning) This was one of my first even MOOC-eds, although since it was so small they opted to call it a SOOC, and I can honestly say it was one of the best online learning experiences I have ever had. Please watch the following 3 minute video for a brief description and summary of the research:

The major conclusions from this SOOC about why it had such a high rate of completion were:

Instructor feedback, support and participation
The co-construction and social design of the community of practice
The Inclusion and commitment to UDL principles throughout the course

I can agree completely with these statements as I was part of the SOOC; I was completely engaged in the course because the facilitators make the extra effort to ensure that engagement occurred. These three elements are very important to consider when designing your own MOOC-ed.