MOOCs - What Else is Possible with Them?

When I started creating my first MOOC (Massively Open Online Learning) course I was not sure what I could create in that space. My classes and workshops are usually very interactive - I draw my energy from the participants and my enthusiasm from their questions. I allow the flow of the class to be shaped in accordance to the interests of the people in the class and the topics that they are willing to explore. We usually have conversations and discussions more than pre-planned lectures. Quite Frankly, the thought of creating a MOOC course with one way pre-recorded videos seemed not too exciting to me. However our institute was partnering with EdX to create a series of course offerings and when my colleague championing this initiative requested me to create an online course I decided to give it a try.

However I am now realizing that while MOOCs might have some challenges they have amazing benefits as well. This MOOC course is helping me reach out to way more people than I ever could have if I had limited myself to in-person classrooms and workshops. It is also putting me in contact with people from so many different countries and age groups. People with whom my path might have never crossed otherwise. Over the last few months I have realized that with MOOCs we never know who gets impacted and when.

Here is a touching email I received this morning from a pgp student at IIM Kozhikode. I am sharing it here to serve as an invitation to you to come and join us in this MOOC course. The course is currently open in a self paced mode (meaning you can view the videos and complete the exercises all at your own pace). We also have a lively discussion forum where you can share your thoughts and we plan to have a few bonus live video calls where you can ask me your questions live as well.

You can enroll in this course for FREE and get access to all the videos and exercises. You only need to pay if you require a certificate for it. 

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Ma'am,

I am a second year PGP student at IIM Kozhikode, currently in my last term (term 6). I came across your course 'Crafting Realities: Work, Happiness, and Meaning' and I have just started it two days back. Though I am very new to the course, I am enjoying it a lot. I am writing this email just to tell you that I believe, India needs more teachers like you, teachers with whom learning seems to be practical and fun, teachers which are enthusiastic yet simple in describing complex phenomenon. The way you have explained simple things through examples such as the water bottle, the clip on counting the number of passes etc is simply great. I have even started seeing your 'Managing Our Inner World' videos on craftingourlives.com.

I particularly joined this course because like many individuals, even I feel that there is (and would be) a disconnect between work and happiness. But as I am moving further into the course, I am made to introspect and look upon my ways of thinking, beliefs and opinions about everyday events. I shall write again to you about my learnings and takeaways, after I am done with all of the course material.

I sincerely thank you to develop a course like this.

Regards Anish Baliwala, MBA Student, IIM Kozhikode

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Find out more about my current MOOC course and enroll here: https://www.edx.org/course/crafting-realities-work-happiness-and-meaning-0