This presentation introduces MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and encourages learning through these online courses. It defines MOOCs as online courses that are open to unlimited participation via the web, and provide interactive forums for community engagement. The presentation outlines the origins of MOOCs, popular platforms that host them, and two types: content-focused xMOOCs and connectivist cMOOCs. Benefits of joining a MOOC are presented, including flexibility, low cost, and ability to study diverse topics. The presenter shares plans to take a public speaking MOOC from the University of Washington to boost skills and connect globally.

1. MAKING LEARNING EASIER
AND CONVINIENT
INVITING MOOCs INTO YOUR LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
A PRESENTATION BY VIOLET LANGA A THIRD YEAR
STUDENT AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG, 2015

2. CONTEXT
• Are you familiar with the concept of MOOCs?
• If not, would you like to partake in one of them if the
opportunity were to avail itself?
• If you already know about them then allow this
presentation to enhance your understanding. As the
saying goes we learn something new everyday.

3. CONTENT
• What is a MOOC?
• Where do MOOCs originate from?
• Platforms for MOOCS
• Different types of MOOCs
• Why you should join a MOOC
• My preferred MOOC
• What I hope to achieve from it
• References

4. WHAT IS A MOOC??
A massive open online course is
an online course aimed at unlimited
participation and open access via
the web. In addition to traditional
course materials such as filmed
lectures, readings, and problem sets,
many MOOCs provide interactive
user forums to support community
interactions between students,
professors, and teaching
assistants (TAs). MOOCs are a recent
and widely researched development
in distance education which was first
introduced in 2008 and emerged as a
popular mode of learning in 2012

5. WHERE DO MOOCS ORIGINATE
FROM?

6. PLATFORMS FOR MOOCS

7. TYPES OF MOOCS: THERE ARE TWO
TYPES OF MOOCS
• xMOOC: Content Based MOOCs
xMOOCs use specially designed
platform software that allows for the
registration of very large numbers of
participants, provides facilities for the
storing and streaming on demand of
digital materials, and automates
assessment procedures and student
performance tracking.
• cMOOC: Connectivist MOOCs
Within a cMOOC, learners are
encouraged (though not required) to
contribute actively, using these digital
platforms. Participants’ contributions
in form of blog posts, tweets etc. are
aggregated by course organizers and
shared with all participants via daily
email or newsletter.

8. 5 REASONS
WHY YOU
SHOULD JOIN
A MOOC!!!

9. IT DOES NOT CHARGE
YOU ANY MOOLA!!! ANYTHING

10. IT GIVES YOU A HEAD START ON YOUR
COURSE

11. IT IS CONVENIENT AND REQUIRES
NO FORMAL SETTING

12. FROM COMPUTER SCIENCE TO
RENAISSANCE POETRY – STUDY
ANYTHING!

13. AND LASTLY IN ENABLES YOU TO
INTERACT WITH PEOPLE GLOBALLY IN
REAL TIME

14. AFTER THOROUGH CONVINCING I
TOO HAVE SIGNED UP FOR A MOOC
IN PUBLIC SPEAKING WITH THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

15. AFTER UNDERTAKING THE COURSE FOR
8 WEEKS I WILL ACHIEVE THE
FOLLOWING:
Personal Satisfaction
IT WILL BOOST MY SELF-ESTEEM
I WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE MY VIEWS WITH OTHERS MORE OPENLY
Critical Thinking
IMPROVE MY CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
ANALYZE COMMUNICATION HABITS
Personal Development
IMPROVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS
MAKE NEW SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

16. SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
GO AHEAD AND SPREAD THE WORD

17. REFERENCES
• Wikipedia. 2015. What is a mooc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massive_open_online_course
• http://www.slideshare.net/sthemiso/moocs-presentation
• http://www.tonybates.ca/2014/10/13/comparing-xmoocs-and-cmoocs-
philosophy-and-practice
• http://www.topuniversities.com/blog/7-reasons-take-mooc
• https://www.boundless.com/communications/textbooks/boundless-
communications-textbook/introduction-to-public-speaking-1/what-you-can-
accomplish-with-public-speaking-20/summary-of-the-benefits-of-public-
speaking-90-10786