Peer Review

University of Iowa: free International Writing Program MOOCs

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Nov 10, 2017 by English

Bookmark

Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

The University of Iowa began its International Writing Program MOOCs in 2014. This year, they will offer three free writing MOOCs. Their first 2015 MOOC 'How Writers Write Poetry' will begin in March 2015, co-taught by Christopher Merrill and Camille Rankine. Registration for their free MOOC writing courses will be done using CANVAS. Please visit their website listed here for more information about their upcoming free Writing MOOCs offered every year. If you want to be notified when open course registration begins, please contact/email at http://distancelearning.iwp@gmail.com .

Type of Material:

Learning Object Repository

Recommended Uses:

This is a self-paced study that can be done alone or in groups.

Technical Requirements:

Each course will have various requirements; Canvas is required for course participation. You will need a computer or mobile device with a stable internet connection that will support your participation. If you would like to take this course but do not have reliable internet access, please contact us at distancelearning.iwp@gmail.com. We will try to facilitate a local MOOC access group where you live.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

The purpose of this class is as follows: * to bring together beginning and experienced writers for the study and practice of writing fiction * to invite new writers to experiment with the creation of fictional characters, scenes, and stories * to challenge advanced writers to examine their convictions and to refine and expand their craft. : provide information on open courses available through the University of Iowa

Target Student Population:

This course is designed for everyone from beginning writers to advanced writers, but it does focus on someone ready for a college-level course in writing.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

You need basic writing skills and computer skills but the course will involve literary analysis as well. Individual courses may have different target populations which are not evident from the listings.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: The course is led by professors from the university, but it is free and open to anyone. The courses topics change for each offering, which gives a variety of opportunities for enrichment. The courses are self-paced, but offer the option for being done in a local group for added interaction.
Concerns:: Since anyone can join, the level of skills of the other participants could vary widely. Last courses were listed in Fall 2016

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: It offers the opportunity to engage with multiple participants and established instructors on the given topic. It uses video presentations which can be viewed at any time. Interested students can sign up for emails to be notified of upcoming courses.
Concerns:: This is not appropriate for instructors to use in their own courses. Course material is not available, only course names and general syllabi.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The website itself is easy to navigate and appears to work on any browser.
Concerns:: I can not make any comments on the course itself without signing up for the course. Outdated courses

Other Issues and Comments:: The only issue is that the quality of the courses being offered cannot be reviewed, only the program website unless you take the course. This is a link to a university's website, not a stand-alone teaching or learning tool.
Creative Commons: