Humans have made significant strides in the field of education.

The shift in teaching-learning methods and modes of content delivery has brought about a transformation. Students, teachers, schools, colleges, and individuals everywhere have been impacted by the digital revolution, driven by the widespread use of technology and information. Traditional learning methods have been modernized and personalized to cater to individual needs, providing them with a sense of identity.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), a novel learning system, offer learners of all ages a wide array of courses to choose from, catering to the demands of today’s competitive society. This approach enhances educational content, accessibility, and potential openness, addressing the need of the hour. MOOCs allow learners to select courses without the constraints of strict attendance requirements or long hours in front of a screen or instructor. This platform removes barriers to learning, promoting equal educational opportunities and the democratization of knowledge.

Personally, Nord Anglia University has provided me with a diverse range of courses to enrich the teaching-learning process, empowering many of us to collaborate with other Nord Anglia Schools on a shared platform, sharing best practices in teaching and learning. MOOCs enable me to complete courses at my own pace, allowing for a balance between personal and professional commitments. Completion of assessment-embedded courses and application of outcomes to my teaching have provided the scaffolding necessary to enhance success rates in my classroom and foster metacognition among my students. Utilizing experiential learning modules and reflective feedback loops has particularly enhanced my students’ ability to become self-regulated learners for life.

Oakridge International School offers a unique educational experience by seamlessly integrating both MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and live teaching into its curriculum. This innovative approach combines the flexibility and accessibility of online learning with the personalized support and interaction of traditional classroom settings.

Blended Learning Approach

The integration of MOOCs with live teaching forms a hybrid learning model that fosters a dynamic and engaging educational environment. Students can access a wealth of high-quality, self-paced online courses from prestigious global universities and institutions, which allows them to explore subjects and expand their knowledge beyond the traditional curriculum. These online courses provide exposure to diverse perspectives, advanced topics, and specialized content that complements their school education.

Live Teaching for Application and Engagement

While MOOCs give students the opportunity to engage with theoretical content, Oakridge’s live teaching sessions bridge the gap between theory and practical application. Educators at Oakridge foster an interactive classroom environment where students can ask questions, discuss real-world applications of the concepts they are learning, and collaborate on projects. These live sessions are designed to engage students actively, using the content learned in MOOCs as a foundation for deeper understanding and critical thinking.

However, it is essential to recognize that live teaching fosters interaction, which is crucial for the development of social, emotional, and communicative skills. Continuous interaction, evaluation, analysis, and effective questioning are vital life skills that will benefit us in the long run. While increased attendance may attract more students to MOOCs, it may not necessarily fulfil the criteria ultimately Self-learning could be personalized through live teaching and MOOC making it more differentiated and enhancing the self-reliance of the learner. The physical interaction with teachers and peers help develop empathy, values of cooperation, teamwork, communication skills, collaborative skills, and critical thinking, the list is endless! What do you say and choose?

Swati Bhyri

Activity coordinator