By Amy
Kohmetscher, Instructional Development Specialist, Ohio State University,
Agricultural Technical Institute.
CenUSA has just launched a flexible learning opportunity,
Introduction to Perennial Grasses for
Biofuels, CenUSA Bioenergy’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). This Q
& A provides some basic answers about what a MOOC is and how you can take
the course.
What is a
MOOC?
A MOOC or “Massive Open Online Course” is a course made
available online for anyone with an internet connection, free of charge. Being free of charge and available online
expands the reach of the MOOC, allowing a broader audience to gain access to
the course.
Who should
take this MOOC?
The CenUSA
Bioenergy MOOC is written for anyone ages 14 and up. No specific background is
necessary to participate. The course
will appeal to those who are interested in exploring the value of perennial
grasses, bioenergy, renewable fuels, and new cropping system opportunities.
While this MOOC can be used as an independent learning
tool, it also provides pre-made modules available for science classroom curriculum
or learning groups such as 4-H or FFA.
How do you sign up
for the MOOC?
You can sign up for this MOOC by visiting https://cfaesmoodle.osu.edu/course/view.php?id=11 and
signing in, or by creating a new account.
Accounts are free and can be created using the email address of your
choice. You do not need to be affiliated
with any specific organizations to participate.
How much does it
cost?
The MOOC is
FREE! This course is provided free of
charge with the help of the CenUSA Bioenergy grant project funded by USDA
-NIFA.
What topics
does this MOOC cover?
This course includes an
introduction to perennial grasses as a feedstock, perennial grass growth and
development, establishment of perennial grass stands, stand management, and
biochar.
Will I have
any fun while I’m taking this MOOC?
Yes! This course is designed to allow you to learn
on your own terms! Feel like browsing
some biochar information? Great! Want to
take all the quizzes to see what you already know? Wonderful! Don’t feel like earning any badges? That’s
great, too! Let curiosity be your guide as you work through the whole course or
just the pieces that interest you.
How easy is
this MOOC? Will it take a lot of time?
How much time this MOOC takes is entirely up to you! This MOOC is self-tailored, so you can spend
a little time to find out a few specific details, or you can dive in and
systematically learn about each of the topics in depth. Each learner gets to
set their own schedule.
Signing up
is simple – that’s covered in another section.
What types of content are included in this
MOOC?
Content varies in delivery method and depth,
so there is something for every learning style and level of interest. There are
videos, extension articles, lessons, published research articles, and quizzes.
Is there credit
for taking this MOOC? What does a participant get?
Individuals who participate in the MOOC have free access
to research-based information related to perennial grasses for biofuels. Similar
to other MOOCs you may have taken; electronic completion badges are offered for
completing activities. These badges can
be attached to a learner’s digital resume.
What is a digital
resume?
A digital resume is an electronic account of your
education, work history, and other skills.
Digital resumes can appear on business networking sites, or can be as
simple as a PDF file uploaded to a website or database. Some platforms allow for the attachment of
digital badges. Our badges are issued
using the Moodle platform, which can be integrated with Mozilla Backpack to
display digital badges. If you do not
use Mozilla Backpack, no problem! Each
time you earn a badge you will receive an email with a downloadable image of
the badge. You can attach or embed your
badges in a digital resume as an image file.
