The library at Wake Forest University developed two MOOCs to teach information literacy skills. The first, called ZSRx, ran from March to April 2013 over 4 weeks covering search strategies, advanced searching, privacy and filters, and information management. It had over 700 registrants from 6 continents. Based on its success, they created a second MOOC called Deacon Development 101 for parents covering supporting their student's academic and personal development. It ran over 5 weeks in October-November 2013 on the Canvas platform and had over 200 registrants from 3 continents. The library has plans to create additional MOOCs on topics like digital publishing, social media, genealogy, and business information. Testimonials showed participants found the

1. A MOOC of our Own
Lynn Sutton
Wake Forest University
Charleston Conference, Nov. 7, 2013

2. “We have so much more to
offer to the MOOC discussion
than locating public domain
images or providing copyright
assistance.”
Kyle Denlinger, May 10, 2013

3. Timeline
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Online sections of Lib 100, Fall 2011
Board of Visitors presentation, Feb. 2012
MOOC mania, Spring 2012
Hired E-learning librarian, Summer 2012
ZSRx brainstorm, Fall 2012
ZSRx build, Winter 2013
ZSRx live, March 18-April 14, 2013
Deacon Development 101, Oct. 1-Nov. 4, 2013

4. Week One: Search strategies
Week Two: Advanced searching
Week Three: Privacy and filters
Week Four: Information management

5. ZSRx: Cure for the
Common Web
•
•
•
•
•
•
Google Sites
Google Groups
Google + Community
700 registrants
6 continents!
Many happy alumni and friends

7. Deacon Development 101
•
•
•
•
Canvas platform
200+ parents
3 continents
5 weeks, 5 modules
Required orientation
Generation Y: A field guide
Making the Grade: Supporting your student’s academic development
Person, place and community: Supporting your student in their search for
identity
o A delicate web: Supporting your student’s search for holistic well-being
o A parent’s toolkit
o
o
o
o

8. Testimonials
•
“Just wanted you to know that I've learned a lot from the
course--and since at 81, I'm what you could call a computer
dinosaur, no one is more surprised than I am about that!”
•
“Kudos to you and Wake for doing this, and I hope you will
offer other courses in the future--how about a short course on
desktop publishing?”
•
“ It is exciting for me to connect to other WFU parents in this
way. I am so impressed with Wake’s focus on well being,
personal growth and development and its culture that I am
now just as committed to the school. I am passionate about
helping this age group discover how they will make their mark
in the world. Being connected to the school through this
course is meaningful to me.”

9. Future plans
• Digital publishing – Winter 2014
• Social media – Spring 2014
• Genealogy – investigating partnerships
• Business information – longer term
• Health information- longer term

10. Contact info
• Lynn Sutton, Ph.D.
• Dean, Z Smith Reynolds Library
• Wake Forest University
• Winston-Salem, NC 27109
• 336.758.5090
• suttonls@wfu.edu