Hybrid Learning with MOOC and Mentor

The rise in popularity and availability of online educational tools like MOOCs gives us even more options for learning. MOOCs are not an educational "silver bullet," they are not a "one size fits all" solution for everyone, but for people who cannot attend classes due to time conflicts or distance from learning centers, MOOCs are a great option. Still, there are limits to technology, and sometimes we need what technology simply can't give us: the human dimension.

Using MOOCs Alone

For people without other options, a MOOC is a great possibility. A student can learn anywhere, anytime. He can learn at his own pace. A few examples of free or low-cost MOOCs are freeCodeCamp, Codecademy and Udemy.

But online learning can be a solitary experience. A student may not have anyone who knows what he is studying and with whom he can talk to about it. There may be no one to help keep him motivated, much less who can discuss course material with him. He can feel like he is alone.

Some MOOCs offer online forums tutors who can answer questions via email, but that's not exactly interactive, and it doesn't lend itself to discussing complex subjects. And we are social animals, after all, and we benefit from human contact, even if it's via a computer screen. As a result, and not surprisingly, MOOCs often have high dropout rates.

This problem can be at least partially addressed by creating a hybrid learning experience, mixing self-paced independent study with regular participation of a mentor, a warm-blooded human being who provides a human dimension.

A Hybrid Approach Works Best

We each have our own learning style. Some people learn best by reading, others by watching videos, others by doing things alone, and still others by doing things in a team. But the reality is that each of us can benefit from a combination of these activities.

Is there an "ideal" hybrid learning approach? There are probably many opinions on that, but I think any well-rounded learning environment would contain these elements:

self-paced independent learning

Use a combination of resources, of online reading and videos, of offline resources too. Learn at your own pace. Review as often as you need to. Do exercises to get more practice.

instructor/mentor

An instructor or mentor answers questions and checks for course material comprehension. She gives feedback on exercises and projects. She demonstrates how a professional in the field thinks. She radiates enthusiasm. She gives context. Ideally this is done in a classroom or lab setting, to a group, but it can also be done one-to-one online.

group activities

Students work together to solve problems and learn about collaboration. They learn from others, and learn by helping others. To be available to students in a larger area, this could be done two evenings a week or a half-day on the weekends.

Having a combination of these activities is ideal, but in the "real world" it isn't always possible. Maybe we don't live near a school so we miss out on the group activities. Or maybe we don't have reliable Internet so we can't take advantage of online learning videos for independent study. So in an imperfect world, we make due with what we have.

My Experience as an Online Mentor

My own experience as a mentor for an online school has convinced me that this human dimension is important. My students are studying to become web programmers. They take online courses and do projects. And I meet with them individually once a week via videochat.

On the technical side, I ask how the work is going, if there were problems. I check for comprehension. I try to introduce them to best practices that they may not be exposed to in an introductory programming curriculum: how to break a big problem into smaller more manageable problems; how to write pseudocode; modular program design; interative development and testing; role-playing a presentation between developer and client.

On the personal side, a good mentor can detect the mood of the student, be empathic, ask how things are going, and provide non-technical support if the student is struggling. This is especially important for students who don't have anyone to talk to about their studies. I end up answering other questions like how to write a CV, finding work as a freelancer, etc.

This kind of student/mentor relationship takes some time to develop. It won't form if sessions take place irregularly, for example only in "emergency" situations, à la "Help! My program doesn't work and it's due tomorrow!" The relationship develops over time, as the student and mentor get to know each other.

In summary, MOOCs are not a perfect solution, but they are great for people in certain circumstances. And having a mentor involved can increase motivation, subject understanding, likelihood to finish the program, and more.