This PowerPoint was used during a webinar to explain online education and the various opportunities available. It is intended for anyone new to online learning. See the presentation at YouTube for free https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfIjsQmU_Ic&list=PLOkFrU7HSFZWjwokjOLnu8KXzxzk3VUXo&index=3.

1. eLearning
: MOOCs, Free Classes, and online education
Estimated time:
20- 40 mins
10 mins for questions.

2. Who’s talking
to you?
 Crystal Williams
 Continuing Education Librarian

3. Who is this
lecture for?
 Anyone interested in online education; specifically, those with no
previous experience.

4. What to
expect?
 Brief overview of the current educational landscape online.
 Information is geared towards adult continuing education.
 Some library-owned and subscribed resources will be mentioned,
as well as completely open resources not connected to the library.
 20-40 mins.

5. Online
Education
 Online Degree programs ($$$)
 MOOCs
 Google Pages classes
 Training Sites
 Social Media
 Industry Experts
 Universities
Typically, you do not earn college credit or licensure through free
programs; although as the Internet evolves, so does online
education.

6. What is right
for me?
 Know your Goals
 Know your Learning Style
 Know your big three limitations (time, technical, and cost)

7. Categories of
online learning
Type of Learning
 College Credit
 MOOC (Massive Open Online
Classes)
 Self Paced
 Skills Oriented
 One-on-One
 Single Lecture
Pay Models
 Subscription
 Free; open
 Free; account required
 Content free; perks cost
 Pay per content

8. Realistic
Expectations

9. How to find
online
education
sources
 Google Search
 “Subject” and (“course” or “class” )
 Ask your local librarians
 Follow education news (Google, Yahoo, USA Today, etc.)

10. How to vet
educational
sources
 Review Sites
 EDTechReview (edtechreview.in)
 PC Mag (pcmag.com)
 Who is teaching the class? Is it branded or claimed by a reputable
institution?
 Read the “About Us” section on education sites.
 Where is the funding coming from?
 Is there a name to the organization?
 Do other reputable sites link to it?
 Google the name of the institution. What comes up?
 Ask a subject expert (could be a friend, teacher, colleague) to look
at the class.

11. How to vet
educational
sources
 Who are the instructors?
 LinkedIn
 SlideShare
 Twitter
 Who’s following them?
 Who do they follow?
 Qualified?
 Have they written books, articles, magazines?
 Are they employed by a university or school?

12. Vet this class
www.coursera.org

13. Vet this Class
ocw.mit.edu

14. Vet this class

15. Effective?
 10% of enrolled users complete a MOOC
 Uncertain future/ unstudied effects of open and free classes
 According to Boston Globe, potential employers see taking
MOOCs/ Open Courses as positive
 shows applicants’ willingness to improve.
 Open classes do not replace traditional degree requirements or
certifications.
Will MOOCs help you open career doors? Scott Kirsner. Boston Globe.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/10/05/will-mooc-help-you-open-career-doors/pmjHbLCghsH0lEbulWC9VL/story.html

16. Earned
Credentials
 Accreditations (example: IACET)
 CEU (Continuing Education Unit)
 College Credit
 Certificates of Achievement vs. Certificate of Attendance

17. Name Subject Cards Required
TPL YouTube Channel Computer Skills None
Universal Class Full Range Twinsburg PL Card
PowerSpeak Languages Twinsburg PL Card
Safari BooksOnline Computer Skills Twinsburg PL Card
Shmoop Testing Prep Twinsburg PL Card
LearningExpress Test Prep and Workforce skills Ohio library card
WorkForce Skills Basic skills for better job
performance
Ohio library card
Career Cruising Learning Styles assessments; job
search; Resume help
Twinsburg PL Card
Library Resources

18. Category Name of Resource URL Subject Cost
MOOC Coursera www.coursera.org Full range Free; with optional
fees
MOOC edX www.edx.org Full range Free; optional fees
Self-Paced GCF Learn Free
(Goodwill Community Foundation)
www.gcflearnfree.org Computer Skills and
basic math/English
Free
One-on-One Google Helpouts Helpouts.google.com Full Range Varies; range from
free to $$$
Self Paced MIT Open Course http://ocw.mit.edu Full Range Free
Self Paced Kahn Academy www.kahnacademy.org Full Range Free
One-time Lecture Common Craft* http://www.commoncraft.com/videolist Computer Science Varies
Subscription Lynda www.Lynda.com Computer Skills $$
Self Paced Watch Know Learn www.watchknowlearn.org Full Range Free
Self Paced MathTV www.mathtv.com Math Free
Self Paced Code Academy www.codeacademy.org Computer
Programming
Free
Single Lecture TED Talks www.ted.com Full range Free
List of Resources

19. Warning on
Diploma Mills
www.consumer.ftc.gov

20. http://tinyurl.com/tplelearning
Twinsburg Public
Library