STLHE 2015

We are currently running a totally online version of Introduction to Psychology I and II (PSYC1001, PSYC1002). The courses have tuition fees and normal admission standards and credit is granted for successful completion. The courses start and end like a typical semester but lectures and exams are conducted whenever the student desires. It is available to students globally who meet our university’s admission standards. We also run a non-credit (MOOC) version of the courses. The MOOC has no tuition fees nor admission standards or formal exams but is otherwise identical to the first courses. It enables people to “taste-test” PSYC1001 or PSYC1002 who are otherwise uncertain of their university readiness, or who may have insufficient time or money. Students may register in the MOOC at any time and proceed entirely at their own pace. A third version of PSYC1001 and PSYC1002 serves as a bridge from the MOOC to the for-credit version. If a student finds the material interesting or accessible to them, Flex Term allows them to capitalize on their learning and become a tuition-paying, for-credit student. Flex Term allows students to avoid the restrictions of due dates and deadlines associated with the typical semester structure. We will summarize the development of these courses, initial reactions and feedback, and discuss implications of this model. Participants will leave with first-hand experience of these courses and an understanding of the challenges and successes that flow from the intention to facilitate student transition from a MOOC to a tuition-bearing, for-credit university course.

Atenas, J. (2015). Model for democratization of the contents hosted in MOOCs. RUSC Universities and Knowledge Society Journal, 12(1). 3-14. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7238/rusc.v12i1.2031

Noll, J. (2015). Taking psychology online with quality, rigor, and engagement. Presentation at the National Institute for the Teaching of Psychology. St. Petersburg, FL.