After eight…

We began this adventure as a group of eight. Over the course of three weeks the sense of community strengthened, interaction increased and the group dynamic solidified. Our pre-MOOC sense of parameters, security and borders have been removed. The shape of the group has transformed…into thousands.

• It makes me wonder if I would feel differently about the MOOC if it had been part of the module framework from day one?

• Has this shift from few to many had an instrumental impact on how I view the MOOC?

In scheduling the MOOC several weeks into the course, the participants are eased into the concept and practice of the MOOC. This also emphasizes the size and power of the giant classroom.

My experience of this change in class numbers  from <10 to >10,000+ left me in a ‘transitional’ phase, mostly getting my head around the diversity and vastness offered by the MOOC , participants and content.

I think that for me this period of transition was invaluable. In order that I could grasp MOOC concepts it needed to be a standalone feature and most importantly it needed that group dynamic shift to help in my interactions with, perception of and placement of the MOOC.