Thirteenth International Conference on e-Learning & Innovative Pedagogies

Abstract

The first Greek organized MOOC platform called Mathesis has now been in operation for four years constituting a model for the creation of Greek University MOOCs which have not yet come to life. In our paper, we present some complete empirical research conducted over the last two years via our enrolling in all of the courses with the aim to investigating their most fundamental features. We categorize the courses according to their subject and investigate characteristics such as their level and the time required to complete each course, the types and features of teaching material and wider issues related to the design and quality of courses. Emphasis is placed on collaborative learning issues as they arise during the research into the various course forums, the attempts at volunteering but also into the expenditure required to run the platform. Based on our research, as well as on the conclusions drawn from participants’ answers to Output Questionnaires, we intend to look into the advantages and drawbacks of the corresponding courses, and suggest ways this MOOCs platform can improve, having in mind the considerable amount of completion in comparison to what applies on a broader scale to MOOCs. Particular attention is given to investigating the potential for using such courses for SE Teacher Training, and methods are suggested to this end.