A perspective of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and public health
Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have emerged as an innovative educational technology relevant to and affecting higher education, professional development, and lifelong learning. This paper introduces the principles of MOOCs and reviews the development of these platforms over time. We reflect upo...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1058383/full |
| _version_ | 1798006562479931392 |
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| author | Silvana Bettiol Rhea Psereckis Kate MacIntyre |
| author_facet | Silvana Bettiol Rhea Psereckis Kate MacIntyre |
| author_sort | Silvana Bettiol |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have emerged as an innovative educational technology relevant to and affecting higher education, professional development, and lifelong learning. This paper introduces the principles of MOOCs and reviews the development of these platforms over time. We reflect upon the considerable investment by institutions to develop, deliver and promote such courses, particularly in public health. While open to interpretation, the inherent power, influence, and effectiveness of MOOCs is unquestionable. The potential contribution of MOOCs to public health education is immense, with almost universal reach and access. However, apart from research into participant engagement and knowledge, MOOC-related research and evaluation continue to lag with the rapid proliferation of these courses in response to emerging challenges, as seen with the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. This makes analyzing the contribution of MOOCs to public health education, health promotion and community programs challenging. This perspective article provides a robust rationale for the necessity of MOOCs and their utility in upskilling health professionals and the general public. It builds on current knowledge to comprehensively explore the factors influencing the development, and application of MOOCs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T12:56:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fbecefb2a35d413896a7e366b2cb8c35 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T12:56:43Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-fbecefb2a35d413896a7e366b2cb8c352022-12-22T04:23:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652022-12-011010.3389/fpubh.2022.10583831058383A perspective of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and public healthSilvana Bettiol0Rhea Psereckis1Kate MacIntyre2Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, AustraliaPublic Health Services, Department of Health, Hobart, TAS, AustraliaTasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, AustraliaMassive open online courses (MOOCs) have emerged as an innovative educational technology relevant to and affecting higher education, professional development, and lifelong learning. This paper introduces the principles of MOOCs and reviews the development of these platforms over time. We reflect upon the considerable investment by institutions to develop, deliver and promote such courses, particularly in public health. While open to interpretation, the inherent power, influence, and effectiveness of MOOCs is unquestionable. The potential contribution of MOOCs to public health education is immense, with almost universal reach and access. However, apart from research into participant engagement and knowledge, MOOC-related research and evaluation continue to lag with the rapid proliferation of these courses in response to emerging challenges, as seen with the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. This makes analyzing the contribution of MOOCs to public health education, health promotion and community programs challenging. This perspective article provides a robust rationale for the necessity of MOOCs and their utility in upskilling health professionals and the general public. It builds on current knowledge to comprehensively explore the factors influencing the development, and application of MOOCs.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1058383/fullMOOCspublic healtheducationprofessionalworkforcepractice |
| spellingShingle | Silvana Bettiol Rhea Psereckis Kate MacIntyre A perspective of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and public health Frontiers in Public Health MOOCs public health education professional workforce practice |
| title | A perspective of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and public health |
| title_full | A perspective of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and public health |
| title_fullStr | A perspective of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and public health |
| title_full_unstemmed | A perspective of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and public health |
| title_short | A perspective of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and public health |
| title_sort | perspective of massive open online courses moocs and public health |
| topic | MOOCs public health education professional workforce practice |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1058383/full |
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