Metaphors for Learning and MOOC Pedagogies

Abstract

The research reported in this paper used a researcher developed tool to categorize the pedagogical approaches used in MOOCs. The Assessing MOOC Pedagogies (AMP) tool characterized MOOC pedagogical approaches on ten dimensions. Preliminary testing on 20 different MOOCs demonstrated >= 80% inter-reliability and the facility of the measure to distinguish differing pedagogical patterns. The patterns distinguished crossed content areas and seemed to be related to what Sfard (1998) identified as metaphors for learning; acquisition and participation approaches seemed to distinguish the pedagogies of differing MOOCs. A third, arguably important, pattern related to self-direction was also distinguished.