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Mooc Special Topics Summary Proceeding - Final Draft
Mooc Special Topics Summary Proceeding - Final Draft
Mooc Special Topics Summary Proceeding - Final Draft
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2014, International Textile and Apparel Association, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ITAA Proceedings, #71 www.itaaonline.org
2014 Proceedings
Differences between MOOCs and online courses from a development and teaching
perspective, target audiences for clothing and textile MOOCs, and MOOCs related to
clothing and textile topics that are currently being offered.
Presenter: Jennifer Mower, Oregon State University
Jennifer discovered that clothing and textile MOOCs are already being offered through
Marist College. Melissa Halvorson is in charge of the MOOC initiative at Marist College
and was able to join the session as a guest panelist to explain her experience with
developing and offering MOOCs.
How ITAA can realistically engage in MOOCs, the proposal of POOCs (Professional
Open Online Courses) within ITAA, compensation for MOOC instructors within ITAA,
and setting up an honor/award/grant within ITAA that would cover instructor
compensation and serve as an incentive to participate in this initiative.
Presenters: Melody LeHew, Kansas State University & Kathleen Rees, Texas A&M
University - Kingsville
Presentation of Panelist Ideas for MOOC Implementation in ITAA
Genna Reeves-DeArmond, Oregon State University, USA
During preparations for this presentation, the panelists discussed and agreed upon some
key points that will help to legitimize MOOCs within ITAA. These points were presented to the
attendees prior to engaging in a question-and-answer session. First, the benefit of MOOCs for
ITAA can be characterized by three words: enhancement, supplement, and recruitment.
MOOCs can be used to enhance already existing programs where more special topics courses
could be offered. MOOCs could supplement core courses in smaller programs where a course is
only offered every two years and students need to graduate in a timely manner. Recruitment
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2014, International Textile and Apparel Association, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ITAA Proceedings, #71 www.itaaonline.org
2014 Proceedings
could occur in bringing more students into a program, but also in bringing colleagues forward to
collaborate with other scholars. MOOCs can enhance the discipline by bringing greater
recognition to the diverse work that is done, which is more than simply shopping or sewing.
Enhancement could occur through visibility and may assist the clothing and textiles discipline in
gaining credibility among the greater scholarly community.
Second, ITAA could be used as a home base for MOOC endeavors within the clothing
and textiles community. ITAA members could create series of MOOCs based upon their areas of
expertise that can be used by students in the classroom or by scholars for continuing education.
ITAA-specific content could also contribute in this way. For example, distinguished lecture
presentations could be used to develop a course around a concept or specialized topic to promote
practical application. Knowledge or visuals acquired through ITAA-sponsored study abroad trips
could be used in a similar manner. Third, the panelists received clearance shortly before the
session from Mary Lynn Damhorst (President of ITAA) to convene an Ad Hoc MOOC
Opportunities and Development Committee.
Questions and Comments from Attendees during Discussion
Facilitator: Genna Reeves-DeArmond, Oregon State University, USA
The following questions and comments were posed by attendees during the discussion
portion of the session:
A MOOC is a class? Because it sounded as if the panelists were discussing the use of
archived videos simply for viewing and not so much for course content.
o How can archived ITAA lectures be turned into a course?
How does ITAA get the platform established if Coursera (a commercial MOOC platform
provider) doesnt support it? What are the other options?
It would be great if ITAA could draw from the experts in our field for topics such as
global sourcing and how to use social media in the classroom. This content could then be
used as continuing education for academics who have not taught a certain course before
or in a long time. Such units or mini-courses could also be used as part of a course where
the instructor has less confidence on the topic or wants to add expert knowledge.
Attendees expressed great interest in MOOCs for professional development (i.e., a peerto-peer system of professional development).
Modules of continuing learning credits could be available, and this could possibly link
with the accreditation that is currently being sought by ITAA.
Attendees expressed that they saw the greatest challenge as providing an adequate
incentive for those who participate as contributors and instructors of record.
What will the juried process be? A juried process should be in place for the promotion
and tenure process. MOOC contributions need to be peer reviewed for this purpose.
Building a single MOOC course will take a substantial amount of time, so a group of
ITAA members could collaborate and each create separate units that comprise a full
course. Or, mini-MOOCs could be offered that dont constitute a term-long course.
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2014, International Textile and Apparel Association, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ITAA Proceedings, #71 www.itaaonline.org
2014 Proceedings
A decision needs to be made about how to record and cite the MOOC contributions
and/or instructor on a Curriculum Vita.
The Impact Factor needs to be considered. This could be accomplished with the use of
a page view counter or number of students enrolled in the course.
A survey should be created and distributed to the ITAA membership to gather further
opinions about the use of this technology and what topics/courses should be offered in a
MOOC format.
Conclusion
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2014, International Textile and Apparel Association, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ITAA Proceedings, #71 www.itaaonline.org