A though on MOOCs (by Fernando Veiga)

Education should never be kept behind bars waiting for a golden key to be released. I see knowledge sharing, leading to the common objective of global society progress. I imagine no borders nor limitations for any individual’s education, regardless of their personal background. I think of Massive Open Online Courses as the beginning of a new era of learning.

Utopia. Probably the first thought to rise from any of your brains while reading these lines. I cannot blame you. But I consider open learning as a small but mandatory step towards a worldwide free major education. There still a long way off. MOOCs might be the beginning, and I have to thank this congress to make me cross the door of open knowledge sharing for the first time.

We, humans, are progressing at our historically fastest rate. A constant update of our personal skills seems to be necessary during our future professional or academic careers. This makes MOOCs an essential tool for continuous education in a person’s lifetime.

As a future professor, I think that introducing new technologies for teaching activities improves the connection with the pupils. It makes classes more interactive, alive, enhancing the link with the audience. But updating the lecture rooms does not depend on the lecturers. Resources from the universities and governments are required.

MOOCs look like one of the best available teaching tools when thinking of technology. Been able to record your classes will make it possible for even more people to follow them without being present. Personally speaking, I would begin my own Massive Open Online Course. However, I cannot do it by myself. I require help and support from my department and colleagues. I would like to see more people interested in my research area.

When I received the email from the doctorate school, I thought of this activity as one of the best ways to obtain transversal skills and experience. I had never been a volunteer nor assisted to a congress before. The perfect chance to do it.

One of the best parts of the congress was the possibility of assisting a workshop. I was lucky enough to meet Laura Penn. The best speaker I ever met. She introduced me to the secrets of public speaking and how to behave in front of a camera. I even had the opportunity to know what strangers think of my voice, obtaining a priceless feedback. A perfect experience at the EMOOCs congress! I would like to have this opportunity again.

I do not regret at all of the experience as a volunteer at the EMOOCs conference. I met amazing people from a lot of different backgrounds. I became part of the organization of the congress, part of a big team. I learnt from my colleagues and all the speeches of the online learning experts. I actually enjoyed the experience and would repeat it without hesitation. 

F. Veiga

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