Educational innovation, The first MOOC courses
by Laura Dalfollo – Distance Learning
He academic year 2023/2024 marks an important moment for educational innovation in our university with the launch of two new MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) courses as part of the Distance Learning Department’s project.
The courses “Introduction to the Catechism: the profession of faith and the sacramental economy” by Prof. Fr. Daniel Ochoa, L.C., and “Introduction to Spiritual Theology online” by Prof. Angela Tagliafico, represent not only a novelty in the university’s educational proposal, but also a concrete response to the needs of those who wish to take care of their formation even if they cannot physically go to university classrooms or not having long times available to devote to study.
The course Introduction to the Catechism: The Profession of Faith and the Sacramental Economy aims to provide an understanding of the fundamental principles of the catechism by following its conceived and written structure. It is aimed not only at students who intend to approach these teachings for the first time, but also at those who wish to deepen their knowledge of this. Through a series of structured lectures and carefully selected teaching materials, the course addresses the key themes of the first part of the catechism, providing a foundation for further theological study. During the academic year 2024-2025 it will be possible to access “Introduction to Catechism 2: Sight in Christ and Prayer”.
The Introduction to Spiritual Theology online course offers students a clear and simple explanation of the Christian spiritual life by emphasizing the relationship between human life and spiritual life. This course is designed for those who are interested in better understanding the spiritual dimension of the Christian faith and developing a deeper personal spiritual practice. The lessons cover various aspects of spiritual theology, giving students tools for personal and community reflection.
Impact and Results
The introduction of these two new MOOC courses has already been a great success, attracting 88 enrolled students and attracting the interest of many more who have registered to see the presentation webinars held by the regular lecturers. This positive result not only testifies to the quality of the content offered, but also highlights the importance of providing flexible and accessible learning opportunities. The students enthusiastically welcomed the opportunity to access online lessons and teaching materials, which allow them to reconcile their studies with other personal and professional commitments.
Teachers’ Commitment
I want to emphasize a fundamental element of the success of these courses which is the extraordinary commitment of our teachers. Facing this new challenge with enthusiasm and passion, our teachers have invested time and energy in creating content and in the adaptation of their
teaching methodologies to the asynchronous format. Their dedication has been crucial in ensuring that students have an engaging and enriching educational experience, despite physical distance.
Future Vision
Our university is committed to expanding the offer of MOOC courses, with the aim of reaching an increasing number of people. We believe that education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of personal or geographical circumstances. Our MOOC courses are designed to guarantee a high level of training quality, not only at a distance but also able to integrate and enrich face-to-face teaching.
The use of digital materials and interactive resources, through the Canvas educational platform, allows us to create a dynamic and engaging teaching experience, encouraging active and participatory learning. Students have access to video lectures, interactive quizzes, discussion forums, and other resources that facilitate an in- depth and integrated understanding of the topics covered.
In conclusion, the new MOOC courses represent a significant step towards a more inclusive and accessible education. With the intention of further expanding this offer, our Athenaeum stands as a pioneer in the use of digital technologies for education. We will continue to develop courses that respond to students’ needs and promote continuous and quality education, thus helping to create a global and interconnected learning community.