The Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences is currently analyzing a report, issued over the summer by the Arts and Sciences Online Learning and Education Working Group, to address topics related to integrating online technologies into academics. Most notable is the possibility of introducing massive open online courses (MOOCs) to the universitys curricula.
The working group was assembled over the spring semester and consisted of a variety of faculty and staff members. Professor of Mathematics Boris Hasselblatt, who is currently on leave, served as the groups chair. After a series of in-depth discussions, the working group issued a final report that offered a critical analysis of the role that MOOCs could have within the university environment.
Further investment in the use of innovative technologies for teaching and research would enhance student learning in the residential model in many ways, the report said. Such technologies can strengthen and diversify student-instructor relationships and help create active and engaged classroom communities.
The report calls for a committee of faculty and staff members to conduct further research on MOOCs in order to properly assess whether Tufts should invest in such technology and in what regards. Such research could be centered on the impact that MOOCs have had within peer institutions, as well as on trends in student performances in online and blended courses versus traditional face-to-face courses. The report emphasizes that its primary objective is to improve the academic experience at Tufts, and not to save the school money through online resources.
We believe that Tufts should take steps immediately to develop a presence in online education but that we should do so in a way that leverages our particular strengths and is driven not by financial enticements but by our core values, the report said.
Director of the Experimental College Robyn Gittleman said that the working group, of which she was a participating member, aims for online resources to be used as a positive asset within classrooms and to keep the school up-to-date with ongoing technological trends. She cited the opportunity for online discussions in class as one potential benefit of this program.
I suspect the brick-and-mortar type of education will still be the standard at Tufts, but we will take advantage of the opportunity to expand, Gittleman said. We are using technology to enhance education in different ways.
Gittleman said that she is optimistic about MOOCs because the Experimental College has already offered several online courses, including a nutrition-themed course during the summer. All these courses have been quite successful, she added.
Dean of Academic Affairs for Arts and Sciences Nancy Bauer also participated in the group. Bauer, who is also an associate professor of philosophy, said that online courses could help to expand Tufts reputation throughout the world. In the spirit of Tufts commitment to active citizenship, MOOCs could help to provide people who may not have access to a Tufts education the opportunity to benefit from the universitys academic resources, she added.
Bauer, though, also pointed out some of the courses potential downsides, explaining that they are expensive to develop and run, and susceptible to academic dishonesty. Moreover, they may not provide adequate opportunities for students to interact with instructors.
Study after study shows that students learn better and enjoy themselves more when they have at least some personal contact with their teachers, she said.
Bauer said the best solution to the issue is not resisting the growing presence of MOOCs in universities nationwide, but rather exploring the options carefully. She stated that it was important for faculty, students and administrators to continue working together on the matter.
Its pretty clear that online courses are here to stay, Bauer said. Its not clear yet how to make them as good as possible. We need to think about what makes sense for all of our constituencies ...We need to move forward deliberately and consciously.
