Open Online Courses in Public Health: experience from Peoples-uni.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Heller RF
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5399966 | biostudies-literature | 2017
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Open Online Courses in Public Health: experience from Peoples-uni.
Heller Richard F RF Zurynski Robert R Barrett Alan A Oaiya Omo O Madhok Rajan R
F1000Research 20170221
Open Online Courses (OOCs) are offered by Peoples-uni at http://ooc.peoples-uni.org to complement the courses run on a separate site for academic credit at http://courses.peoples-uni.org. They provide a wide range of online learning resources beyond those usually found in credit bearing Public Health courses. They are self-paced, and students can enrol themselves at any time and utilise Open Educational Resources free of copyright restrictions. In the two years that courses have been running, 1 ...[more]
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Project description:BackgroundMassive open online courses (MOOCs) are increasingly used to educate health care workers during public health emergencies. In early 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed a series of MOOCs for COVID-19, introducing the disease and strategies to control its outbreak, with 6 courses specifically targeting health care workers as learners. In 2020, Stanford University also launched a MOOC designed to deliver accurate and timely education on COVID-19, equipping health care workers across the globe to provide health care safely and effectively to patients with the novel infectious disease. Although the use of MOOCs for just-in-time training has expanded during the pandemic, evidence is limited regarding the factors motivating health care workers to enroll in and complete courses, particularly in low-income countries (LICs) and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs).ObjectiveThis study seeks to gain insights on the characteristics and motivations of learners turning to MOOCs for just-in-time training, to provide evidence that can better inform MOOC design to meet the needs of health care workers. We examine data from learners in 1 Stanford University and 6 WHO COVID-19 courses to identify (1) the characteristics of health care workers completing the courses and (2) the factors motivating them to enroll.MethodsWe analyze (1) course registration data of the 49,098 health care workers who completed the 7 focal courses and (2) survey responses from 6272 course completers. The survey asked respondents to rank their motivations for enrollment and share feedback about their learning experience. We use descriptive statistics to compare responses by health care profession and by World Bank country income classification.ResultsHealth care workers completed the focal courses from all regions of the world, with nearly one-third (14,159/49,098, 28.84%) practicing in LICs and LMICs. Survey data revealed a diverse range of professional roles among the learners, including physicians (2171/6272, 34.61%); nurses (1599/6272, 25.49%); and other health care professionals such as allied health professionals, community health workers, paramedics, and pharmacists (2502/6272, 39.89%). Across all health care professions, the primary motivation to enroll was for personal learning to improve clinical practice. Continuing education credit was also an important motivator, particularly for nonphysicians and learners in LICs and LMICs. Course cost (3423/6272, 54.58%) and certification (4238/6272, 67.57%) were also important to a majority of learners.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that a diverse range of health care professionals accessed MOOCs for just-in-time training during a public health emergency. Although all health care workers were motivated to improve their clinical practice, different factors were influential across professions and locations. These factors should be considered in MOOC design to meet the needs of health care workers, particularly those in lower-resource settings where alternative avenues for training may be limited.
| S-EPMC11199926 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The data presented in this article are based on provides a systematic and organized review of 219 studies regarding using of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in higher education from 2012 to 2017. Consequently, the extant, peer-reviewed literature relating to MOOCs was methodically assessed, as a means of formulating a classification for MOOC-focused scholarly literature. The publication journal, country of origin, researchers, release data, theoretical approach, models, methodology and study participants were all factors used to assess and categorise the MOOC. These data contribute to materials required by readers who are interested in different aspects related to the literature of using Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in higher education. Intention to use, interaction, engagement, motivations and satisfaction were five dynamics assessed in relation to the improvement of MOOCs. Students' academic performance can be influenced by MOOC which has the advantage of facilitating the learning process through offering materials and enabling the share of information.
| S-EPMC6297852 | biostudies-other
Project description:IntroductionOpen Online Courses (OOCs) are increasingly presented as a possible solution to the many challenges of higher education. However, there is currently little evidence available to support decisions around the use of OOCs in health professions education. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the available evidence describing the features of OOCs in health professions education and to analyse their utility for decision-making using a self-developed framework consisting of point scores around effectiveness, learner experiences, feasibility, pedagogy and economics.MethodsElectronic searches of PubMed, Medline, Embase, PsychInfo and CINAHL were made up to April 2019 using keywords related to OOC variants and health professions. We accepted any type of full text English publication with no exclusions made on the basis of study quality. Data were extracted using a custom-developed, a priori critical analysis framework comprising themes relating to effectiveness, economics, pedagogy, acceptability and learner experience.Results54 articles were included in the review and 46 were of the lowest levels of evidence, and most were offered by institutions based in the United States (n = 11) and United Kingdom (n = 6). Most studies provided insufficient course detail to make any confident claims about participant learning, although studies published from 2016 were more likely to include information around course aims and participant evaluation. In terms of the five categories identified for analysis, few studies provided sufficiently robust evidence to be used in formal decision making in undergraduate or postgraduate curricula.ConclusionThis review highlights a poor state of evidence to support or refute claims regarding the effectiveness of OOCs in health professions education. Health professions educators interested in developing courses of this nature should adopt a critical and cautious position regarding their adoption.
| S-EPMC6744630 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background: Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have undergone exponential growth over the past few years, offering free and worldwide access to high-quality education. We identified the characteristics of MOOCs in the health sciences offered by Latin American institutions (LAIs). Methods: We screened the eight leading MOOCs platforms to gather their list of offerings. The MOOCs were classified by region and subject. Then, we obtained the following information: Scopus H-index for each institution and course instructor, QS World University Ranking® 2015/16 of LAI, and official language of the course. Results: Our search identified 4170 MOOCs worldwide. From them, 205 MOOCs were offered by LAIs, and six MOOCs were health sciences related. Most of these courses (n = 115) were offered through Coursera. One health science MOOC was taught by three instructors, of which only one was registered in Scopus (H-index = 0). The remaining five health science MOOCs had solely one instructor (H-index = 4 [0-17]). The Latin American country with the highest participation was Brazil (n = 11). Conclusion: The contribution of LAI to MOOCs in the health sciences is low.
| S-EPMC5499794 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThis study investigated the acceptance and use of massive open online courses (MOOCs) among health informatics educators and students in Saudi Arabian academic institutions. A theoretical model based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), self-determination theory (SDT), and channel expansion theory (CET) was used to identify factors that affect MOOC adoption in health informatics education.MethodsA survey research design was employed, and cross-sectional data were collected from health informatics instructors and students in academic institutions in Saudi Arabia. A total of 145 completed responses were used in the final analysis of the data.ResultsThe findings indicated that performance and effort expectancy were important factors that could predict the acceptance and use of MOOCs among health informatics instructors and students. Additionally, perceived media richness affected the actual use of health informatics MOOCs among students and instructors in Saudi Arabian academic institutions. The results of this study show that autonomy, relatedness, and competence must be considered in the design of health informatics MOOCs.ConclusionsA combination of these models can effectively explain the adoption and use of MOOCs in emerging fields such as health informatics.
| S-EPMC10492412 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This paper aims to survey language teaching MOOCs that promote intercultural competence (IC). Specifically, the survey aims to identify the keywords most relevant to MOOCs with IC components, the languages taught, the offering countries, and the embedded soft skills. The selection of keywords is important because they can indicate connection between different disciplines. After trialing a broader set of keywords in several rounds of initial search, we identified five keywords that are the most relevant to language education with IC components on MOOCs: culture, intercultural, cross culture, multi culture, and society. Then courses with these five keywords on language learning are selected for further analysis. The results are summarized as follows: (1) Most language teaching MOOCs are found under the keyword “culture,” indicating a strong connection between language education and intercultural communication; (2) In terms of the target languages and the offering countries, it is found that English, Chinese, and Spanish are the major languages widely taught in the context of intercultural competence; China, United States, and Ireland are the three countries which offer the highest numbers of MOOCs in this respect; United States, United Kingdom, and Australia are the three countries which offer the highest numbers of MOOCs of different languages. The results indicate that a limited number of languages and offering countries dominate the language learning MOOCs. The study calls for a plurality of languages and cultures to be taught through MOOCs, making more diversified knowledge systems accessible to global audiences. (3) The language teaching MOOCs not only focus on language but also aim to foster five types of soft skills (language learning skills, communication skills, business and entrepreneurship skills, career development skills, and cultural development skills), suggesting that intercultural competence and its related soft skills are usually important components embedded in such MOOCs courses.
| S-EPMC10436504 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundSelf-management education is a fundamental aspect in the health care of people with diabetes to develop the necessary skills for the improvement of health outcomes. Patients are required to have the competencies to manage electronic information resources-that is, an appropriate level of digital health literacy. The European project IC-Health aimed to improve digital health literacy among people with diabetes through the cocreation of massive open online courses (MOOCs).ObjectiveWe report the preliminary results obtained in 3 participating countries in the IC-Health project (Italy, Spain, and Sweden) regarding (1) experience of the participants during the cocreation process of MOOCs, (2) perceived changes in their digital health literacy level after using MOOCs, and (3) a preliminary assessment of the acceptability of MOOCs.MethodsThe cocreation of the MOOCs included focus groups with adults and adolescents with diabetes and the creation of independent communities of practice for type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes participants aimed to co-design the MOOCs. Quantitative measures of the acceptability of MOOCs, experience in the cocreation process, and increase in digital health literacy (dimensions of finding, understanding, and appraisal) were assessed.ResultsA total of 28 participants with diabetes participated in focus groups. Adults and adolescents agreed that the internet is a secondary source of health-related information. A total of 149 participants comprised the diabetes communities of practice. A total of 9 MOOCs were developed. Acceptability of the MOOCs and the cocreation experience were positively valued. There was a significant improvement in digital health literacy in both adults and adolescents after using MOOCs (P<.001).ConclusionsAlthough the results presented on self-perceived digital health literacy are preliminary and exploratory, this pilot study suggests that IC-Health MOOCs represent a promising tool for the medical care of diabetes, being able to help reduce the limitations associated with low digital health literacy and other communication barriers in the diabetes population.
| S-EPMC8713090 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Digital health literacy (DHL) increases the self-efficacy and empowerment of pregnant and lactating women (PLW) in using the Internet for health issues. The European project IC-Health aimed to improve DHL among PLW, through the co-creation of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The co-creation of the MOOCs included focus groups and the creation of communities of practice (CoPs) with PLW and healthcare professionals aimed to co-design the MOOCs. The quantitative measures of MOOCs' acceptability, experience in the co-creation process and increase in DHL (dimensions of finding, understanding and appraisal) were assessed. 17 PLW participated in focus groups, 113 participants were included in CoPs and 68 participants evaluated the acceptability of MOOCs. A total of 6 MOOCs aimed at improving PLW's DHL were co-designed. There was a significant improvement in self-perceived DHL after using MOOCs (p-value < 0.001). The acceptability of MOOCs and co-creation experience were positively valued. The preliminary results of the quantitative assessment showed a higher self-perceived DHL after the IC-Health MOOCs. These results suggest that IC-Health MOOCs and the co-creation methodology appear to be a viable process to carry out an intervention aimed to improve DHL levels in European PLW.
| S-EPMC8775560 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundMassive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have the potential to improve access to quality education for health care workers (HCWs) globally. Although studies have reported on the use of MOOCs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), our understanding of the scope of their utilization or access barriers and facilitators for this cohort is limited. We conducted a scoping review to map published peer-reviewed literature on MOOCs for HCW education in LMICs. We systematically searched four academic databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ERIC) and Google Scholar, and undertook a two-stage screening process. The analysis included studies that reported on MOOCs relevant to HCWs' education accessed by HCWs based in LMICs.ResultsThe search identified 1,317 studies with 39 studies included in the analysis, representing 40 MOOCs accessed in over 90 LMICs. We found that MOOCs covered a wide range of HCWs' including nurses, midwives, physicians, dentists, psychologists, and other workers from the broader health care sector, mainly at a post-graduate level. Dominant topics covered by the MOOCs included infectious diseases and epidemic response, treatment and prevention of non-communicable diseases, communication techniques and patient interaction, as well as research practice. Time contribution and internet connection were recognized barriers to MOOC completion, whilst deadlines, email reminders, graphical design of the MOOC, and blended learning modes facilitated uptake and completion. MOOCs were predominantly taught in English (20%), French (12.5%), Spanish (7.5%) and Portuguese (7.5%). Overall, evaluation outcomes were positive and focused on completion rate, learner gain, and student satisfaction.ConclusionWe conclude that MOOCs can be an adequate tool to support HCWs' education in LMICs and may be particularly suited for supporting knowledge and understanding. Heterogeneous reporting of MOOC characteristics and lack of cohort-specific reporting limits our ability to evaluate MOOCs at a broader scale; we make suggestions on how standardized reporting may offset this problem. Further research should focus on the impact of learning through MOOCs, as well as on the work of HCWs and the apparent lack of courses covering the key causes of diseases in LMICs. This will result in increased understanding of the extent to which MOOCs can be utilized in this context.
| S-EPMC9315291 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundMassive open online courses (MOOCs) have increased in popularity in recent years. They target a wide variety of learners and use novel teaching approaches, yet often exhibit low completion rates (10%). It is important to evaluate MOOCs to determine their impact and effectiveness, but little is known at this point about the methodologies that should be used for evaluation.ObjectiveThe purpose of this paper is to provide a protocol for a systematic review on MOOC evaluation methods.MethodsWe will use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines for reporting this protocol. We developed a population, intervention, comparator, and outcome (PICO) framework to guide the search strategy, based on the overarching question, "What methods have been used to evaluate MOOCs?" The review will follow six stages: 1) literature search, 2) article selection, 3) data extraction, 4) quality appraisal, 5) data analysis, and 6) data synthesis.ResultsThe systematic review is ongoing. We completed the data searches and data abstraction in October and November 2018. We are now analyzing the data and expect to complete the systematic review by March 2019.ConclusionsThis systematic review will provide a useful summary of the methods used for evaluation of MOOCs and the strengths and limitations of each approach. It will also identify gaps in the literature and areas for future work.International registered report identifier (irrid)DERR1-10.2196/12087.
| S-EPMC6427096 | biostudies-literature