Last week, the second CARNet ISE MOOC, a massive open online course with 500 participants from various regions of Croatia, was successfully completed. The course „ISE MOOC: Educational Trends and Digital Tools in Teaching“ was primarily intended for teachers who want to implement contemporary teaching with a focus (but not exclusively) on the so-called STEM field, but school administrative staff, educational experts, and anyone interested in educational trends and the implementation of contemporary teaching could also join the course.
The ISE MOOC took place from May 20 to July 6, 2016, and during those six weeks, it offered participants the opportunity to gain knowledge about new pedagogical approaches that involve more active learning and teaching. These approaches include inquiry-based learning, problem-based learning, and project-based learning, as well as gamification in education, i.e., the application of game dynamics, mechanics, or elements to increase student concentration. In addition, through video tutorials, participants had the opportunity to learn about numerous e-tools for use in teaching, as well as portals and simulations for classroom application. Subsequently, they had the opportunity to apply all the knowledge gained by creating their own ISE learning scenario.
Course participants could choose which activities to complete and, depending on their selections, earn certificates and digital badges in two categories: ISE Know-It-All (basic badge) and ISE Guru (advanced badge). 243 participants (48%) earned the ISE Znalac certificate and badge, and 73 (14%) earned the ISE Guru certificate and badge. Participants can use the earned badges as proof of specific knowledge and skills, transfer them to their profile on CARNet's online learning system – Loomen, or publish them on other websites. More information about the course and knowledge assessment is available at http://www.carnet.hr/ise/edukacija/ise_mooc_2016.
The course satisfaction survey questionnaire, as well as comments received at the support email address, showed a high level of satisfaction among participants. A full 92.1% of participants rated the course as excellent and very good. Comments specifically highlighted satisfaction with the course content and structure, which allowed them to devise a new classroom methodology, as well as the conveniences provided by learning in this massive open online course, which related to the ease of accessing the course, the ability to review material later, saving time (no travel for professional development), etc. We highlight one of the participant's comments: "Extremely convenient for independent lifelong learning and professional development in ICT technology as well as in one's profession. One can fully adapt learning to their own commitments."„
The course „ISE MOOC Educational Trends and Digital Tools in Teaching“ was organized within the framework of the Inspiring Science Education (ISE) project, co-financed by the European Union under the Program for Supporting Policies for the Application of Information and Communication Technologies within the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP ICT PSP).
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