Massive Open Online Courses: Legal and Policy Issues for Research Libraries

Abstract

Executive SummaryMassive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) raise significant legal and policy questions for research libraries, which are often asked to support the development of MOOC courses. These questions involve information policy concerns that are central to research libraries, including the proper application of fair use, the transition to open access as the default mode of scholarly publishing, and the provision of equal access to learning materials for students with and without disabilities. Where possible, research libraries should engage in conversations around MOOCs and promote their core values. By doing so, they will also promote the continuing vitality of libraries as partners in the educational mission.

A Model and Tool to Support Pedagogical Scenario Building for Connectivist MOOC

“…Les OCW permettent donc de mettre à disposition en ligne et de façon ouverte des ressources et activités pour l'enseignement et l'apprentissage. Les MOOC ont cherché à aller plus loin en fournissant des cours complets et structurés autour d'un syllabus bien défini, avec des capsules vidéos, des quiz, des forums pour encourager l'engagement et l'interaction des apprenants, des devoirs notés et moyens d'évaluation, menant à des certifications ou non (Butler, 2012).…”

Aprendizaje introductorio sobre la ciencia del suelo a través de un curso MOOC

“…La estructura del curso consta de tareas en las que se deben utilizar materiales de diversa naturaleza, como textos, videos, imágenes, libros y recursos electrónicos (Butler, 2012). Para aprobar el curso, al estudiante se le solicita la realización de un número mínimo de tareas.…”

Collaboration, alliance, and merger among higher education institutions

“…Our United States policy profile (Annex B) highlights some of the implications of copyright rules for online instruction. Basically, online education in the United States can use the intellectual property of unaffiliated parties where they fulfil certain requirements, which include protecting it from illegitimate use (in Butler, 2016). Some institutions have found these requirements difficult to meet, and they clearly raise costs, especially for forprofit providers, including many MOOCs.…”

“…Otherwise, it is unclear whether institutions can modify courses without faculty permission, and what occurs after faculty leave the institution. In terms of MOOCs, at least one provider has left ownership with the instructor and institution and asked for a non-exclusive license to the content, which resolved ambiguity for the MOOC platform but left institutions and instructors still having to determine their own relationship (Butler, 2016).…”