Designing and creating MOOCs: the experience of the University of Bayreuth

Abstract

The impact of modern digital technologies on the forms and methods of teaching in a modern university has been analysed. The characteristics of massive online open courses are described: they are regarded as a part of the digital and educational environment of a modern university, as well as a universal form of communication between society and the institution. The experience of Zentrums für Hochschullehre (Ukrainian analogue — a teacher training centre), whose employees create massive online courses, is described with the help of general scientific methods and the interview method. The factors that influenced the need to develop massive online courses at the university are substantiated and the philosophy of the university regarding massive online courses is characterised as an opportunity to attract a wide range of students, including potential applicants, who want to receive high-quality modern education. Also, the functions of the team that creates massive open courses are characterised. In the example of the case study of the University of Bayreuth, namely the course “Cellular Polymers”, the production cycle of creating massive open online courses, which consists of eight stages and takes from 8-10 months to a year, is examined in detail. Difficulties that may arise when creating massive open online courses are highlighted. The results of the internal audit of Zentrums für Hochschullehre to determine the effectiveness of massive online courses and the results of the author’s research on the perception of massive online courses by Ukrainian students are described. The interest of young people in taking such courses is proven, and typical problems that arise during training are presented (lack of motivation to complete the course, insufficient knowledge of the language, complex interface of the educational platform, etc.). It is proposed to gradually introduce massive open online courses into the activities of Ukrainian universities, primary recommendations are provided for those teachers who personally want to initiate the process of creating open online courses.