TY - JOUR
T1 - Canine theriogenology for dog enthusiasts
T2 - Teaching methodology and outcomes in a massive open online course (MOOC)
AU - Root Kustritz, Margaret V.
PY - 2014/1/1
Y1 - 2014/1/1
N2 - A massive open online course (MOOC) in canine theriogenology was offered for dog owners and breeders and for veterinary professionals as a partnership between the University of Minnesota and Coursera. The six-week course was composed of short video lectures, multiple-choice quizzes with instant feedback to assess understanding, weekly case studies with peer evaluation to promote integration of course materials, and discussion forums to promote participant interaction. Peak enrollment was 8,796 students. The grading policy for completion was strict and was upheld; completion rate for all participants was 7.5%. About 12% of participants achieved a grade of over 90% in the course, with those who had any deficiency mostly missing one quiz or assignment. Ninety-nine individuals were enrolled in a for-cost, credentialed pathway, and 50% of those individuals completed all required course components. Pre-and postcourse surveys were used to demonstrate that learning objectives were met by the participants and to identify that lack of time to commit to study was the biggest impediment to completion. Positive aspects of the course were active engagement by participants from all over the world and the ability of this university and instructor to reach those learners. Negative aspects concerned technical support and negative feedback from some participants who were unable to meet course requirements for reasons beyond the control of the instructor.
AB - A massive open online course (MOOC) in canine theriogenology was offered for dog owners and breeders and for veterinary professionals as a partnership between the University of Minnesota and Coursera. The six-week course was composed of short video lectures, multiple-choice quizzes with instant feedback to assess understanding, weekly case studies with peer evaluation to promote integration of course materials, and discussion forums to promote participant interaction. Peak enrollment was 8,796 students. The grading policy for completion was strict and was upheld; completion rate for all participants was 7.5%. About 12% of participants achieved a grade of over 90% in the course, with those who had any deficiency mostly missing one quiz or assignment. Ninety-nine individuals were enrolled in a for-cost, credentialed pathway, and 50% of those individuals completed all required course components. Pre-and postcourse surveys were used to demonstrate that learning objectives were met by the participants and to identify that lack of time to commit to study was the biggest impediment to completion. Positive aspects of the course were active engagement by participants from all over the world and the ability of this university and instructor to reach those learners. Negative aspects concerned technical support and negative feedback from some participants who were unable to meet course requirements for reasons beyond the control of the instructor.
KW - educational methods
KW - outcomes
KW - reproduction
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84894446828&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84894446828&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3138/jvme.0813-112R1
DO - 10.3138/jvme.0813-112R1
M3 - Article
C2 - 24393779
AN - SCOPUS:84894446828
SN - 0748-321X
VL - 41
SP - 9
EP - 18
JO - Journal of veterinary medical education
JF - Journal of veterinary medical education
IS - 1
ER -