Integrating Massive Open Online Courses in Teaching Research and Writing Skills

Abstract

This research study aims at consolidating and extending students’ repertoire about research and writing skills through MOOCs. To this end, fifteen Masters one students at the University of Ibn Khaldoun – Tiaret-, Algeria enrolled in an online course on FutureLearn. Then an attitudinal questionnaire was administered to them about their expectations and experiences throughout the course. The online course also informed the practitioner researchers’ in-class teaching to tackle the practical side of some research and writing techniques. The findings indicated that the students exhibited positive attitudes about online instruction and showed a great extent of engagement. At the end of the eighth week of online instruction, the students were well-informed about the requirements of conducting a research study.

Keywords

• MOOCs
• LMOOCs
• Online Instruction
• Research Skills
• Writing Skills