The Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS) is offering a series on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) as libraries and librarians carefully watch them develop. This series of four webinars will help librarians gain an understanding of the complexity of the MOOC 'movement,' learn how to support students and faculty engaged with MOOCs, become familiar with the copyright and intellectual property requirements in relation to MOOCs and hear what the future may hold for MOOCs.
On September 25, Mike Eisenberg, dean emeritus and professor at the University of Washington Information School, will set the stage by examining the origins of online learning and explaining why MOOCs continue to thoroughly capture the imagination of students, educators and administrators in 'Get Ready to MOOC: Why Libraries Should Care'.
On October 9, presenter Steven Bell, associate university librarian for research and instructional Services at Temple University, will outline his views on the role of the librarian as a solutions provider to the online learning community. Whether presenting a traditional online course or a MOOC, librarians should be recognised as full partners throughout the development process. Bell will discuss how librarians can get into the conversation in this session, titled 'Libraries and MOOCs: Providing Solutions for Alt-Higher Ed'.
Libraries have become more proactive about educating users with regard to their rights and responsibilities vis à vis copyright. In 'MOOCs: Copyright Management for Online Courses?' to be presented on November 6, Kevin L. Smith, Director of Copyright and Scholarly Communication at Duke University Libraries, will offer insights into the library's role in settings beyond the traditional classroom model.
Are MOOCs here to stay, or are they a flash in the pan? The MOOC movement is still in its infancy. On December 11, Jonathan Grudin, principal researcher in the Natural Interaction Group at Microsoft Research, will let us know whether he is optimistic or pessimistic about the future in 'MOOCs: Here to Stay or Flash in the Pan?'
