Today, on 22nd April 2024, we share and celebrate the launch of the vet school’s professional intermediate MOOC – Animal Welfare in the Clinic MOOC↗️ on the Coursera platform. In this extra post, Louise and Laura provide an overview of the course sharing the benefits and challenges of developing MOOCs. Dr Louise Connelly is a Lecturer in Academic Development, and Laura Wardrop is the CPD Manager for the Easter Bush Campus.
The University offers a wide range of continuing professional development (CPD) resources and courses, including Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), on different platforms (EdX, Coursera, and Future Learn). This article explores areas to consider when developing an intermediate professional MOOC from the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education (JMICAWE) at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (R(D)SVS). Building on our reputation and expertise in MOOC development, a new Animal Welfare in the Clinic MOOC launches 22 April 2024 – coinciding with World Veterinary Day↗️ (27 April 2024).
The Vet School has a portfolio of 9 MOOCs, with more than 1.6 million course visitors over the past 10 years. This article highlights the process of developing an open education resource (CC-BY-NC license), using the model of audience, purpose, delivery, and evaluation, for the development of a course aimed at vets, vet nurses, and animal care professionals (audience) to enhance animal welfare in the veterinary clinic – nationally and internationally (purpose). The MOOC was developed by Dr Louise Connelly, Lecturer in Academic Development and Hayley Walters, Senior Animal Welfare Veterinary Nurse, curating contributions from a wider team.
Overview of the course
The Animal Welfare in the Clinic↗️ MOOC is aimed at everyone working in a veterinary environment: vets, vet nurses, reception staff and animal carers, providing them with a fully-online learning experience, to enhance their knowledge and understanding, and ensure that the welfare of the animal is supported at every stage of the clinical visit (from transportation, waiting area, examination, operating room, and recovery). The weekly topics are: animal behaviour and welfare; waiting area and consulting room; preparation area and operating room, recovery areas/kennels, and in-patient care; and post-operative care. Completion of the MOOC can be used as evidence of 12 hours equivalent of CPD.
Practical application, needs analysis and quality assurance
Before commencing the development of a MOOC, similar to the development of degrees, a market demand survey or evaluation is carried out, to ensure that there is a demand for the resource, as well as undertaking a Learning Design Session (LDS) to discuss the audience, purpose, pedagogical approach, including innovative and accessible delivery options for the content. For this MOOC there are 50+ videos (MOOCs typically have fewer videos), resources/readings, discussion boards (to develop a professional community of learners to share practice), checklists and templates for learners to download and use in their own clinics, and weekly multiple-choice-questions (pass mark is 70% in order to attain a certificate). Over time, the MOOC will also be translated in several languages, to maximise outreach and impact. Annual review and evaluation of the MOOC is reported to the school Quality Assurance and Enhancement Committee (evaluation).
Challenges of MOOC development
There are a number of factors to consider when developing MOOCs, including: the pedagogical affordances of the platform (is a MOOC the right option for your content and audience and how will you deliver that content with the potential constraints of the platform); the market demand (this has to be large!); the cost to develop (can be tens of thousands of pounds); the time available from the academic team to develop content, as well as ongoing support e.g. on the discussion boards/technical issues etc. Other considerations include the technical and marketing support required, as well as ongoing review of learner feedback (evaluation). While these challenges are not insignificant, they can be addressed.
Benefits of MOOCs
The benefits from offering MOOCs includes maximising outreach, potential impact (in this case, improving animal welfare), an income (from certificates), using the content as extra resources in degree programmes, promoting to prospective vet students, as well as potentially raising the academic profile of those involved in the delivery of the MOOC. In addition, MOOCs may be endorsed externally, further raising the profile and impact.
“The Animal and Welfare Behaviour MOOC is an accessible and engaging learning tool which supports the professional development of frontline teams”
The Animal Behaviour and Welfare↗️ MOOC has been endorsed by the SSPCA.
Noticeably, the MOOCs contribute to the growing online learning portfolio and the Open Education Resource (OER) Strategy at the University.
Conclusion
Is a MOOC the best option for CPD? Yes and no. This article briefly highlights the benefits and challenges for MOOC creation. However, careful consideration needs to be given as to whether a MOOC suits the audience, purpose, and is the best platform – if it is – the impact can be far-reaching, not only for the learner but in our case, for the animals!
“Great course, based on scientific facts, not on ideology, I loved it!”- Learner on The Truth About Cats and Dogs↗️ MOOC – March 2024
Resources
- The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare↗️
- MOOCs at R(D)SVS↗️
- Online course production team (IS)↗️
Louise Connelly
Dr Louise Connelly is a Lecturer in Academic Development, Convenor of the Human Ethical Review Committee (HERC), and Chair of the Educational Staff Development Committee (SupportEdu). She provides pedagogical advice and develops innovative approaches for CPD resources, MOOCs, and online MSc programmes. Her research interests include, e-professionalism, digital education, and research ethics.
Research profile↗️
Laura Wardrop
Laura Wardrop is the CPD Manager for the Easter Bush Campus. She develops and manages online and on campus CPD activity across the Vet School and has over 16 years experience working within this area in the Higher Education sector.
