Engaged Phd - Further Information: MOOCs

MOOCs

What is a MOOC?

A MOOC is a Massive Open Online Course. Although there has been access to free online courses for years, the quality and quantity of courses has changed. The MOOC phenomenon has changed the face of education and enabled motivated students worldwide to gain access to elite university content. They are free, non-degree courses hosted online with open unlimited global enrolment. While most are non-credit bearing, some are starting to offer optional certificates, enhanced learning services and credit options at additional costs. Students have been embracing them as a means towards gaining sophisticated skills and career progression opportunities. For further information please view the video below.

How do I find a MOOC?

If you google ‘MOOC’ and ‘your topic of interest’, the chances are you will get some interesting hits. Alternatively browse: http://www.mooc-list.com/initiatives-and-categories which is a site where there is compiled information on MOOCs on a wide range of topics. These MOOCs are offered by a range of universities and are “hosted” by different MOOC platform companies. MOOCs vary in their content and quality. Some have been given ratings or reviews, but this is not fully supported yet, so it requires some investigation on your part into whether it is worthwhile undertaking a particular MOOC. Some suggested ideas for possible MOOCs relevant to the Engaged PhD Pathways are listed in the table below. These are provided as a guide only and you are welcome to find other alternatives. Please seek the advice of your supervisor, the Research Degree Coordinator for your School or the Health Sciences Research Office before enrolling for a particular MOOC, or if you are unsure about the type of MOOC to take.

What do I look for in a MOOC?

Before enrolling in a MOOC, ask yourself:

Is there a course syllabus, course description or list of learning outcomes provided? Does it meet your learning and skill development needs?
Is the hosting university and/or lecturer one with a good reputation? Does the MOOC have a rating or reviews?
What are the logistics? For example:
- the length of the course; the workload requirements e.g. time commitments, assignment types
- What are the software requirements e.g. video streaming, online conference facilities, specialised software?
- What is the start date for the course during this year or next year?
Are there pre-requisite knowledge or background requirements?
Are there suggested or compulsory reading materials? If so, are these freely available online?

Some suggested ideas for possible MOOCs relevant to the Engaged PhD Pathways:

MOOC title	Hosting university	Course Length	Indicative Start date
1. Academic pathway
Learning to Teach Online	U of New South Wales	6 weeks	24 April 2017
Instructional Methods in Health Professions Education	U of Michigan, USA	8 weeks	17 April 2017
Teaching Adult Learners	Central Institute of Technology, AUS	4 weeks	24 Aril 2017 Check for further sessions this year.
Foundations of Teaching for Learning 1: Introduction	Commonwealth Education Trust, UK	4 weeks	17 April 2017 Check for further sessions this year
Mathematical Biostatistics Bootcamp 1	John Hopkins University, USA	4 weeks	10 April 2017 Check for further sessions this year.
Network Analysis in Systems Biology	Mt Sinai School of Medicine, USA	7 weeks	24 April 2017 Check for further sessions later this year
2. Governance and Policy pathway
Introduction to Bioethics	Georgetown University, USA	6 weeks	15 April 2017
Global Health Policy	U of Tokyo	4 weeks	3 April 2017
To screen or not to screen? methods and health policies through case studies	U of Geneva	7 weeks	10 April 2017
Global Health Diplomacy	The State University of New York	7 weeks	17 April 2017
Systems thinking in public health	John Hopkins University	4 weeks	3 April 2017
3. Global Outlook pathway
Global Health Diplomacy	The State University of New York	7 weeks	17 April 2017
Global Health Policy	U of Tokyo	4 weeks	3 April 2017
Age of Globalization	U of Texas (Austin), USA	Self paced	Archived so is currently self-paced. Check for further sessions this year.
Global Health: An Interdisciplinary Overview	U of Geneva, Switzerland	8 weeks	10 April 2017
An Introduction to Global Health	U of Copenhagen, Denmark	6 weeks	March 28, 2016
Globalization's Winners and Losers: Challenges for Developed and Developing Countries	Georgetown University, USA	Self paced	Archived so is currently self-paced.
4. Research Enterprise pathway
Drug Discovery	U of California (San Diego), USA	3 weeks	3 April 2017
Drug Commercialization	U of California (San Diego), USA	4 weeks	10 April 2017
Drug Development	U of California (San Diego), USA	3 weeks	24 April 2017
Fundamentals of Clinical Trials	Harvard University, USA	Self paced	Archived so is currently self-paced. Check for further sessions this year.
Innovation and Enterprise	Loughborough University, UK	6 weeks	Check for further sessions this year.
Healthcare Innovation and Entrepreneurship	Duke University, USA	6 weeks	3 April 2017
Design and Interpretation of Clinical Trials	John Hopkins University	6 weeks	24 April 2017
5. Clinical Practitioner Pathway
Clinical Epidemiology	Utrecht University	7 weeks	29 May 2017
Teaching and Assessing Clinical Skills	University of Michigan	6 weeks	17 April 2017

All MOOCs listed in the table were found on: http://www.mooc-list.com/initiatives-and-categories but can be located on their host site through a google search.