Abstract
Evidence-based practices grounded in the learning sciences provide an opportunity for improved learning experiences in traditional in-person, as well as in hybrid and online environments. We advocate specifically that large-scale, online learning experiences, such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) benefit from applications of the learning sciences. To that end, we present a description of how and why we use specific learning science practices in a biochemistry MOOC with the intention to contribute to the discussion about the quality of online learning experiences and lower the barrier for other practitioners seeking a framework for implementing evidence-based course design. We believe that the application of the learning sciences makes online learning experiences more rigorous and effective, and practitioners should optimize the use of these strategies through clever tests in specific contexts.
Highlights
The quality of learning experiences across the 13,500 Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offered since 2012 (Shah, 2019) is heterogeneous
Familiar with the learning science literature, we are free from the constraints of specializing in a specific area of educational research set by tenure track or grants
As developers of digital learning experiences, we understand that there are orchestration constraints in MOOC development that present challenges to implementing best practices for teaching and learning outlined by the literature
Summary
Evidence-based practices grounded in the learning sciences provide an opportunity for improved learning experiences in traditional in-person, as well as in hybrid and online environments. We advocate that large-scale, online learning experiences, such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) benefit from applications of the learning sciences. We present a description of how and why we use specific learning science practices in a biochemistry MOOC with the intention to contribute to the discussion about the quality of online learning experiences and lower the barrier for other practitioners seeking a framework for implementing evidence-based course design. We believe that the application of the learning sciences makes online learning experiences more rigorous and effective, and practitioners should optimize the use of these strategies through clever tests in specific contexts
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