It is a reflection on a MOOC that I am currently engaged in. The MOOC is offered by Coursera and it is about public speaking. It is a commercial type of MOOC and a minimum fee of $ 49 is payable.

1. Name : MOHLALA NI
Student No : 201320913
Module : TST20B3
Due date : 10 August 2015
PLAGARISM DECLARATION
I declare that the work included in this
document is my original work and I
have acknowledged all the information
I used from other sources.
2015MOOC REFLECTION

2. 1
Table of Contents
MOOC Overview: ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
MOOC source ................................................................................................................................................................................................................3
Reasons for selecting this MOOC ....................................................................................................................................................................................4
Expectations .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Introduction to MOOC community ..................................................................................................................................................................................6

3. 2
1. MOOC Overview:
Table 1 MOOC Overview
What kind of a MOOC is it? This is a commercial type of xMOOC which is accessible through the online service
provider called Coursera.
Who is running it? This course is running under the expertise of Dr. Matt McGarrity. He is a Senior
Lecturer in the Communication Department at the University of Washington. He
teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in public speaking, argumentation,
classical rhetoric, rhetorical criticism, and communication pedagogy. He founded
and continues to direct the University of Washington Speaking Centre, which offers
speech coaching to students. He has published academic articles and teaching
materials on communication education and public speaking and has won multiple
top paper awards for public speaking research at academic conferences. He has
won a number of teaching awards, including the National Speakers’ Association’s
Outstanding Professor Award.
Duration The course is self-paced so there are no restrictions in terms of duration. However,
3 months seems to be the appropriate duration to complete the course.
MOOC Topic The topic of this MOOC is public speaking. In this MOOC we study the principles
of public speaking through critically examining our own and others’ speeches
through interactive practice. The focus in this course is on the understanding of key
parts of an argument and drafting clear and concise arguments which translates
directly to other academic assignments. The goal of this MOOC is to enable
students to prepare and to deliver quality speeches, presentations and quality
essays. To achieve this we will study the principles of argumentation and
arrangement through critically examining our own speeches and the speeches of
others. By becoming a student of public speaking, you join a long history of
rhetorical study dating back to ancient Greece.

4. 3
MOOC source:
URL: https://www.coursera.org/user/i/6c17cd3c31951c90da74c409b1ac1c38
Figure 1MOOC Homepage and profile (public speaking)

5. 4
2. Reasons for selecting this MOOC:
I choose this MOOC for two main reasons, namely for my professional development and for personal
interest sake. As an aspiring teacher I believe communication skills are of outmost importance. This is
because candidateswith strong communication skills are highlyrecommended in the workplace. Thus, I will
have the edge over other applicants in a job interview when I start seeking for employment. Similarly,
academicsuccess also requires the ability to articulate your thoughtsclearly. So this will also help me in my
studies at the University of Johannesburg. Moreover, I believe that the ability to arrange thoughts
coherently and to present ideas clearly is the central attributes for successful teaching. In other words
communication skills will inform my pedagogy and as such I will make a good teacher in future.
I also chose this MOOC topic because I am interested in becoming an active member in my community. I am
from a rural area in Limpopo named Jane Furse where there are few educated people. The area is faced
with challenges such as HIV and AIDS, unemployment, crime, lack of resources and poor education. So I
want to become an activist who will bring the community together so that we may address these prevailing
predicaments. To do so I need to build courage and communication skills, in order to make them listen. I
believe through proper communication between community members we can fight corruption in the
government, which seems to be determinantof our predicaments. In conclusion, I conclude by saying that, I
chose this MOOC topic because I want to bring about change in my community and to do so I must be a
good speaker.

6. 5
3. Expectations:
My expectations from the MOOC of public speaking are divided into two categories. Firstly, the
expectations during the course. Secondly, expectations as outcomes of the course. In other words I have
expectations during the course and also expectations about what I aim to achieve as an end. During the
course I expect maximal participation from other students or users. That is, users must give me feedback
promptly and they should also complete their tasks so that I can also give them feedback. I also expect
respect from the users when they give me feedback. I do not expect disrespectful comments about my work,
on contrary I expect constructive feedback.
By the end of this course I expect to be a proficient public speaker. In other words, I expect to be able to
prepare and to deliver quality presentations. To be able to make people listen to me when I address them.
Most importantly, I expect to have sufficient communication skills that will improve my pedagogy.
Moreover, I expect that the course will help me to build courage and confidence to stand in front of an
audience. Lastly, I expect to get a certificate which will increase my odds of finding a job.

7. 6
4. Introduction to MOOC community:
Mr Mohlala is a third year student at the University of Johannesburg. He is passionate about Mathematics
and engaging young minds. He is currently studying to become a Mathematics Senior Phase and FET
teacher. This aspiring teacher finished his matric the year 2012 at Moreko high. His academic and
leadership skills has seen him become an executive member of the Representative Council of Learners for
four years. Mathematics is his main field of interest and he has participated in numerous Mathematics
competitions, including the final round of Maths Olympiad. His biggest achievement was being one of the
first year top achievers at the University of Johannesburg. Mr Mohlala is from a spiritual family and
believes that all things are possible with God and hard work. He enjoys challenges and shares the same
sentiment with the icon albert Einstein that the human mind has no limits.