Treasuring and preserving languages: how the inclusive design in MOOCs might help

Borthwick, Kate (2020) Treasuring and preserving languages: how the inclusive design in MOOCs might help. In, Plutino, Alessia, Borthwick, Kate and Corradini, Erika (eds.) Innovative Language Teaching and Learning at University: Treasuring Languages. Research-publishing.net, pp. 5-12. (doi:10.14705/rpnet.2020.40.1059).

Record type: Book Section

Abstract

This paper reflects on the inclusive design features of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and how these might support and encourage language learning. It considers what inclusivity in the context of MOOCs means, and some of the features of MOOCs which might be inherently inclusive and of value in supporting languages. It presents an example of inclusive design from a MOOC created at the University of Southampton: English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) for Academics, a professional development course for teachers. It shows how this course was particularly designed to appeal to the broadest audience possible, and indicates how this might be relevant in language learning contexts. It considers the challenges of creating inclusive open content, and how MOOC design encourages the treasuring and preserving of languages through global reach and low barriers to access.

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