The OpenCourseWorld team shares its best practices in MOOC production. If you need any further information, please contact us: partner@opencourseworld.de

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Why and how to MOOC
A basic guide to producing a MOOC

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This guide covers…
• What is a MOOC?
– Definition
– History
• Why to MOOC?
– Benefits
• How to MOOC?
– Preproduction
– Production
– Postproduction
– Publish your MOOC on OpenCourseWorld.com

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What is a MOOC?
• Syllabus contains: short videos, documents, assessment etc.
• Weekly course updates (notifications)
• Community features
• Interactivity
• Certification
Massive Open Online Courses
Large number of
participants
Free and accessible
for anyone
Webbased
Syllabus structure

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Rise of the MOOCs
Fall 2011: Professor Thrun (Stanford
University) opens his free online
course ‚Artificial Intelligence‘.
 160.000 students enrolled

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How does a MOOC work?
Portal
Community
Introduction Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5 Module 6
Log in
Cloud-based platform

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Why to MOOC?
• Accessibility
• Flexibility (independent of location and time)
• Scalability
• Cost-efficient and high quality content
• Fosters intrinsic motivation to learn
• Lifelong learning experiences
• Improves quality of existing education
• Multiplier for marketing purposes
• Prestige
Benefits of the MOOC format

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How to MOOC? - Preproduction
Intellectual Property
• Copyright laws in the MOOC context can be very different
(e.g. using pictures).
• It is your institution‘s responsibility to ensure that your
course complies with applicable copyright laws.
• Please note: Unfortunately we cannot give you any legal
advice in concrete scenarios.
What to consider before you start

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How to MOOC? - Preproduction
Project Management
Producing a MOOC is a complex project!
You need a good time and ressource management to finish in time.
Time to produce a MOOC depends on:
• time you can allocate for the production
• experience with the technical equipment
• complexity of the course
• lenght of course chapter units
Estimation: 1 hour of finalized film material  about 10 hours of work
from scripting, preparation and production to deployment on the
platform.
What to consider before you start

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How to MOOC? - Preproduction
Course description
Keep in mind: You want to convince people to enroll in your MOOC!
 Be concise but informative
 Write in accessible prose, not jargon
1. Catchphrase (to capture reader’s attention)
2. Overview of course topic
3. Overview of course chapters
4. Learning outcome / Value proposition
5. Prerequisites
Basic Course data

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How to MOOC? - Preproduction
Structure your MOOC:
Course
Module (workload for 1 week)
Element (several learning elements in each module)
By dividing your content into brain-friendly knowledge units and by adding
assessments after every module, you ensure better retrieval of information.
Course Concept / Syllabus

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How to MOOC? - Preproduction
Which format for which purpose?
• Videos: Teaser, instruction, knowledge transfer (visual examples)
• Scripts: Knowledge transfer (detailed information about the topic; relevant for exam
preparation)
• Animated Content (WBT): Knowledge transfer (visualize complex scenarios)
• Homework: Self-assessment, case studies, engagement
• Tests: Automated assessment (mandatory for concluding the course)
Course Content

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Video Lectures
Slides/Screencast + Voice over Speaker + Slides
Whiteboard Videos Interviews

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Other formats for knowledge transfer
Scripts Animated Content / Web Based Trainings

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Formats for learning progress assessment
Automated tests for scalable assessment Open exercises for self-assessment

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How to MOOC? - Production
Content
Ideal video length (7-10 minutes)
1. Welcome (Full shot speaker)
• Introduce yourself
• Explain what the module is about
2. Illuminate key aspects (1/2 or full shot of content)
• Develop explanations  Explain by handwriting, pictures, diagrams
• Illustrate theory with interesting examples  compare with everyday life
situations
• Use contrasting cases  Side by side examples
3. Add interactivity
• Ask questions before giving answers  pause the speech and resume
4. Conclusion / Goodbye (Full Shot)
• Summary
• Introduction to exercises and other learning objects in the module
Best Practices: Video

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How to MOOC? - Production
Presentation and Preparation
What to consider when giving a speech in a MOOC video:
• Practice your speech to be able to keep it short and narrow the topic down to the most
important aspects
• Relax and smile to avoid looking “robotic”
• Look directly into the camera
• Address the individual learner directly to give each of them the impression, that
they receive a one-on-one training
• Pay attention to your body language: just a little movement; enhance decisive
statements with your hands; while standing avoid the typical rocking back and forth; while sitting
sit tall and lean just slightly forward
• Take your time: wait a few seconds after pushing record before you start talking to
facilitate the postproduction
• Record yourself multiple times and watch it afterwards to see what works best
Best Practices: Video

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How to MOOC? - Production
Technical Requirements

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How to MOOC? - Production
Technical Requirements: Lighting

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Production – Hardware Essentials
Pre-amplifier: BEHRINGER MIC100
Tube Ultragain (39,- €)
Necktie pin microphone: RODE Pinmic
(200,- €)
Adapter: RODE MiCon-5 Adapter XLR
(28,- €)
Camera: Logitech C920 USB HD Pro
Webcam (70,- €)

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825,- € (1 license)87,- €149,- €
49,- € (teachers, students)
Slide / screen recording Speaker recording (MAC)
Animations / HTML5
Trainings
Production – Software Essentials

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How to MOOC? - Production
• Use always the mp4 format
• Use H264 as video and AAC as audio codec
• Provide a HD quality version for high bandwidth
users with 1280x1024px (4:3 aspect ratio) or
1280x720 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio)
• Only downscale your videos, do not upscale them.
Best practices: Videos

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How to announce your course? www.opencourseworld.com
Course data:
• Start date
• End date
• Duration of use
• Learning effort per week
• Level (Basic / Advanced / Expert)
Course image (442x270 px)
Course components:
• Lectures
• Expert interviews
• Certificate
• Tests
• Practical exercise
• Discussion forum
Course description (max. 4000
characters)
Learning goal / Value proposition
Partner:
• Name of the institution
• Logo (160x77 px)
• URL
Prerequisites
Speakers:
• Name
• Job title (max. 50 characters)
• Institution (max. 46 characters)
• Picture (square-cut)
Course title (30-40 char.)
subtitle (50-60 char.)

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We are here to assist!
Contact us for further information:
partner@opencourseworld.de
We are looking forward helping you to realize your course!
Thank you
www.opencourseworld.com