This chapter reviews the concept of seamless learning for Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) based on the distillation of key factors from papers discussing and describing the Mobile Seamless Learning (MSL) concept. The MSL concept was used as a starting point to explore how MOOC could be prepared for seamless learning and to explore future research options. There is a vast area of research to be explored related to seamless learning in MOOC. The authors belief that some of the challenges faced by MOOC, such as “dropout” rates, redefining learning activities to fit diversity of contexts, self-directed learning, collaborative content artifact creation, the mobility of the adult learners, and the “dip-in, jump-out” aspect of participation, can be countered by researching and suggesting seamless learning designs and guidelines that fit both the adult learners and the MOOC realities. Investigating all the elements, challenges and benefits for providing seamless learning in MOOC environments will contribute to the body of knowledge of contemporary online learning.
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The authors of this chapter have reviewed the concept of seamless learning for Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) based on the distillation of key factors from papers discussing and describing the mobile seamless learning (MSL) concept. The MSL concept was used as a starting point to explore how MOOC could be prepared or optimized for seamless learning.
Recent research has investigated the concept of ‘seamless learning’ with the aim of supporting a continuity of learning across contexts and devices (Sharples, 2013). Building on this notion of ‘seamless learning,’ a global research collaboration proposed a manifesto for research into learning for a world where every person has a networked personal computing device and can use it to learn across a variety of contexts (Chan et al., 2006). The Chan et al. (2006) manifesto was however mainly looking at mobile-based seamless learning. The authors of this chapter believe in the additional importance of creating seamless learning environments to optimize the learner experience for participants engaged in MOOC, and in online courses in general. The reason to transpose seamless learning not only to MOOC, but to online learning in general, is based on the belief that future technology enhanced learning will be ubiquitous, providing an optimal learning environment for the online learner. This optimal learning environment will allow the learner to swiftly move across their own learning environment with their preferred learning tool (mobile or not) and to comfortably find their way through all the learning activities as the learning environment adapts and logs the learner’s activities. Examples of such environments can be seen in the proposal for Academic Check-ins that leverage both formal and informal learning opportunities at the college campus (Koutropoulos, 2012).
The reason for investigating the existing insights and looking for research challenges is based on research gaps mentioned by our colleague researchers. A research gap was put forward by Looi, Seow, Zhang, So, Chen and Wong (2010) that there is a need to construct a seamless learning environment and to conduct longitudinal studies to explore the affordances of such learning environments in promoting 21st century knowledge, skills and positive attitudes towards learning. De Waard, Abajian, Gallagher, Hogue, Ozdamar Keskin, Koutropoulos and Rodriguez (2011a) add that the use of social media, new mobile technologies and MOOC have a major impact on the learning and teaching processes of today, especially in MOOC. This rise of new educational forms has resulted in a quest for new learning methodologies and frameworks as written by McAuley, Stewart, Siemens and Cormier (2010), and the authors of this chapter feel that seamless learning will be a key influence on 21st century learning.
Combining mLearning and MOOC research, and building upon them follows from the fact that when looking at the learning related characteristics of both mLearning and MOOCs, similarities between the two fields start to emerge (de Waard, Koutropoulos, Keskin, Abajian, Hogue, Rodriguez, & Gallagher, 2011b); thus making them a match for future concurrent exploration and inquiry. Coming up with seamless learning for MOOC, based on learner-centered insights, will enhance many contemporary learners, as technology is now all around us, transforming each human being into an active, global participant who is enabled to learn or add to our collective knowledge.
With this chapter the authors want to share their views and ideas on seamless learning, as well as map out future seamless learning research for them, as well as colleague researchers. The authors want to explore what has been researched in the realm of mobile-based seamless learning, and broaden these to move towards MOOC seamless learning insights and research challenges as well as needs.