Distance Learning
Mrs Ash’s MOOC Journey
Before the Easter break I launched my MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) challenge to all stakeholders – this was partly to shame myself into completing my own MOOC. Having...
Mrs Ash’s MOOC Journey
Before the Easter break I launched my MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) challenge to all stakeholders – this was partly to shame myself into completing my own MOOC.
Having previously started and failed to complete a MOOC on Richard III, I was very tempted whilst browsing the history courses on offer to restart this course. I may yet do this (I will keep you posted!) but another course caught my eye.
As I know many people are, I am fascinated by the Tudor period of history and I was therefore compelled to join the course titled ‘The Tudors’. It is quite an in depth course as it takes place over 6 weeks and recommends 5 hours of study per week but I was up for the challenge!
The thing I have found I like about the MOOC way of learning is you can complete in small chunks rather than one long sitting. The tasks from week one consisted of reading articles, watching videos, having discussions and recording thoughts from questions posed.
I am happy to say I have successfully completed week 1!
What have I learnt so far? A great deal of my ‘knowledge’ about the Tudor period comes from films, television programmes and novels and week 1 has taught me to challenge this knowledge and look at the facts with a fresh pair of eyes.
I look forward to week 2!
I am now halfway through my MOOC (Massive Online Open Course) journey having completed weeks 2 and 3 of The Tudors programme.
I am thoroughly enjoying watching the video clips, reading the articles and taking part in the quizzes. Taking part in this course has also made me wish to revisit some films and television series based on the Tudor era. These are often referenced throughout the course and explain which parts are historically accurate and which are fiction.
During this period of social distancing there are a plethora of boxsets that have been re-released. The MOOC has inspired me to rewatch ‘Wulf Hall’, the BBC series which follows the story of Thomas Cromwell in the Tudor era, based on the novel by Hilary Mantel.
It is has also been lovely to hear from other members of staff who have started MOOC’s:
- Miss Herlock is completing a MOOc about Shakespeare and his plays
- Mr Newbold is studying a MOOC on ‘Archaeology and the Battle of Dunbar 1650, from the Scottish Battlefield to the New World’
- Mr Gall has completed ‘Introduction to data analysis using excel’
- Ms Turton has not signed up for a MOOC but has been learning German using Babel
If you have not yet started a MOOC do take a look on the future learn website – there are so many to choose from and they are easier than you think!
