This document discusses the development of a MOOC by researchers at the National Institute for Digital Learning at Dublin City University. The MOOC was created to help prepare flexible learners for transitioning to higher education by enhancing their digital readiness and establishing expectations. It was developed using design patterns and prototyping. The MOOC aims to help learners assess their readiness, availability, support systems, computer skills, and understand the assessment process. Challenges addressed in creating the MOOC included evolving platforms and recognizing MOOCs as academic work.

1. Rising to the challenge of flexible learner
transition: A pre-induction socialisation
MOOC
Dr Eamon Costello, Dr James Brunton, Orna Farrell, Prof Mark Brown
National Institute for Digital Learning, Dublin City University

2. Dr. Eamon Costello, Dr. James Brunton, Prof. Mark Brown,
National Institute for Digital Learning, Dublin City University
Before We Begin:
Guiding Learner Expectations via a
Preparatory MOOC
Background
• Dublin City University
• National Institute for Digital Learning

3. www.studentsuccess.ie
@FLSuccess

4. About the Project
What we set out to do…
• Enhance success of flexible learners
• Undertake synthesis of literature
• Undertake an institutional audit
• Develop eight digital readiness tools

5. The Toolbox

6. Am I Ready for Study?

7. Tool 6: The MOOC

8. Planning

9. Get Ready for SuccessDesign

10. Get Ready for SuccessDesign Patterns
“quality without a name”
– Alexander (1979)
Alexander, C. (1979) The Timeless Way of Building
“Each pattern describes a problem which
occurs over and over again in our
environment, and then describes the core
environment, and then describes the core
of the solution to that problem, in such a
way that you can use this solution a million
times over, without ever doing it the same
way twice.” Alexander (1979)

11. Yishay Mor Learning
Design Workshop

12. Pedagogical Design Patterns (M
Warbuton, 2015)

14. Prototyping

15. Programme Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course participants will be able to:
1. Make an informed decision regarding their readiness for
flexible learning at higher education level
2. Establish how much available time they have available for
study, relative to the time needed to maintain the other
parts of their life
3. Identify their potential sources of support
4. Assess if there is a shortfall in their computer skills, relative
to the minimum levels needed for flexible learners in higher
education
5. Appreciate the steps involved in preparing a piece of
assessment work for submission
6. Interact with other prospective flexible learners

16. Storyboarding

17. Storyboarding

18. Challenges
• Evolving platform
• MOOCs as academic work (Lorenz,
2016)
LORENZ, A. (2016). The MOOC Production Fellowship: Reviewing the first German MOOC funding
program. Proceedings of the European Stakeholder Summit on experiences and best practices in
and around MOOCs (EMOOCS 2016), 185.

19. Thank
You!