Open Source's Impact on Distance Learning

In my current class Distance Learning we were asked to review an Open Source course, I chose to explore a course offered by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) the course name is "Slavery and Human Trafficking in the 21st Century"(http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/anthropology/21a-445j-slavery-and-human-trafficking-in-the-21st-century-spring-2015/) this course was offered during the Spring of this year. The course is well laid out, the materials were easy to locate and I was able to locate a syllabus, calendar and my assignments. From and Instructional Design standpoint, the course has been carefully planned with the learner in mind, you are provided with instant links to purchase course materials as needed, you have downloads available and easily located. Our text states “the components of a successful learning system are the learners, the content, the methods, the materials and the environment, including the technology” (Simonson, Smaldino, Zvacek, 2015). It is my belief that this course had all these components. I think it is great that during this course you not only have reading materials, you also get to watch films and videos.       

The subject is not an easy one to watch, but the ID for this course took a difficult subject and made a course that to me is engaging, insightful and keeps the learner in mind. There are weekly notes as part of your assignments, a small group presentation and a term paper is due at the end, and it’s a minimum of 17 to 20 pages. You are provided with more than enough resources, and information, samples and time. I felt the course was engaging, even without being in a live group environment.

        As I perused some of the other offerings I began to notice that MIT has a template for the layout of their courses. This in my opinion makes it easier for the learner feel comfortable navigating between the courses, having everything structured provides a comfort level once you have completed your first course you know that your future courses will have the same feel to them.

References

Mitali Thakor. 21A.445J Slavery and Human Trafficking in the 21st Century, Spring 2015. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare),http://ocw.mit.edu (Accessed 2 Dec, 2015). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education