Pros 
+ Student performance is the same or slightly better 
+ Students gained strong critical thinking skills - critiquing and analytical comments 
+ No negative impacts on any group/demographic 
+ Students engage with interactive online materials 

Cons 
- Students are still less satisfied with the blended format compared to face-to-face 
- Students feel less prepared for course materials 
- No feedback from MOOC instructors


San Jose State University

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

MOOCs are often combined with traditional teaching methods to create different blended learning environments.

MOOCs in blended learning

Israel, M. J. (2015). Effectiveness of Integrating MOOCs in Traditional Classrooms for Undergraduate Students. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 16(5), 102–118. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v16i5.2222

Effectiveness of Integrating MOOCs in Traditional Classrooms for Undergraduate Students


- Make room for student choice in MOOCs even if you must guide them in this choice. This can help with motivation.
- Workload should be carefully balanced between MOOC based and classroom content and this should be communicated in expectations to students.
- Learning outcomes should permeate the MOOC and classroom environment and be considered from the beginning. 
- Even if students are given a choice on a MOOC, having completion as a requirement can overcome motivational issues with completion. 


Recommendations for teachers implementing MOOCs in Blended Learning

 Pros & Cons of Integrating MOOCs in Traditional Classrooms

Given that the course materials are consistent, regardless of modality, with enough prior preparation, accreditation, and initial investment, a MOOC can be integrated into a course and provide results similar to both in-person lectures and blended courses involving the same MOOC.

Integrating MOOCs in STEM-based Courses

Here, a control group and experimental group were administered a pre and post test with regards to a course that the experimental group was to take in a blended learning environment and the control group in a traditional classroom environment. Based on a paired t-test for the pre-test, there was no significant difference between the prior knowledge of the groups. After the post test ANCOVA test, it was determined that there was a significant difference between the post test scores. The experimental score was higher.

Role of MOOCs in Learning Performance

- SWOT analysis
- Faculty vs. student perceptions

Learn Before

Related