The Creation of a Massive, Multi-team Organized (MMO) Course.

Abstract

Instructors and administrators recognize that our world demands graduates who are not only prepared to meet today's challenges but are also equipped to tackle novel problems of the future. This article describes the creation of an interdisciplinary, team-taught course designed using features of collaborative learning and problem-based learning with a focus on the impact of teaching with a large number of faculty. The course was well-received by students with positive feedback about integration of previous curricular content and a low-pressure learning environment. However, the course was not without its challenges. Participation from over half of the program's teaching faculty required a considerable investment of time and resulted in weekly inconsistencies throughout the semester. This article highlights successes, challenges, and recommendations for others seeking to design a course with a similar number of faculty. This course style is referred to as a "massive, multi-team organized (MMO) course."