The Impact of Open Source

The Impact of Open Source

Winfred K. Ridley

Walden University

Dr. Ronald Paige, Ph.D.

EDUC – 6135 Distance Learning

June 12, 2014

As we have discussed the methods, strategies, and practices of distance education the focus has rightly been kept on the learner audience and the means by which they wish to access lifelong educational opportunities. Open Source courseware is one of the many avenues by which distance learners choose to further their education. This “disruptive innovation” in online learning has influenced the attitudes, perceptions and educational relationships of many learners not to mention society at large (Flynn, 2013).

Pre-planning:

Aside from my interest in education I also carry attentiveness toward entrepreneurship and as I read over the courses offered through MIT with this interest in mind, I decided to review a course titled “Special Seminar in Management: The Nuts and Bolts of Business Plans” (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, [MIT], 2014) http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/sloan-school-of-management/15-975-special-seminar-in-management-the-nuts-and-bolts-of-business-plans-january-iap-2005/. The thought of pre-planning as the course was designed appears to have stayed at the forefront. The Nuts and Bolts of Business Plans is designed from a synchronous standpoint, and emphasizes “starting each session promptly at 6:00 pm.” The syllabus also states “Please be on time or you may miss important information” (MIT, 2014). MIT students earn 3 units of pass/fail credit and attendance is required. I like the fact that the course calendar is laid out in plain language with topics, sub-topics, and speakers (including bios) openly identified on the same page.

Online instruction:

The opportunity to self-direct one’s own learning presents itself early in the course with the introduction of business planning, guidance on marketing and presentation basics to engage learners. The course appears to have incorporated the aspects of classroom retooling and group interactivity (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright & Zvacek, 2012 p. 153). “Part of this class will be an interactive session with students and others who are in the process of developing a business plan” (MIT, 2014).

Activities that maximize learning:

Asynchronous learning opportunities are also kept in mind as lessons are presented that work around presenters’ scheduling conflicts. Such opportunities include multiple play backs of video-casts, student participation in writing assignments, and networking opportunities (see the links below).

Writing assignment: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/sloan-school-of-management/15-975-special-seminar-in-management-the-nuts-and-bolts-of-business-plans-january-iap-2005/assignments/writing_requirem.pdf  

Networking assignment: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/sloan-school-of-management/15-975-special-seminar-in-management-the-nuts-and-bolts-of-business-plans-january-iap-2005/assignments/networking_assig.pdf    

Links to the syllabus, calendar, resources, and course materials are conveniently placed to the right. In my opinion, the designers put a lot of thought into coonsrtuctiing the course.

Win

References

Flynn, (2013) MOOCS: Disruptive innovation and the future of higher education Christian

Education Journal, 10(1).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, [MIT], 2014). Retrieved from

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/sloan-school-of-management/15-975-special-seminar-in-management-the-nuts-and-bolts-of-business-plans-january-iap-2005/

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning

at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA:

Pearson.