DMMMSU-SLUC College of Graduate Studies successfully conducted a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Camp focusing on Fostering Student Motivation and Engagement (FSME). This educational initiative, part of the university’s continuous effort to provide accessible professional development, was attended by 81 participants, including teachers from the Department of Education, faculty members of higher education institutions, and international educators from Taiwan and Mongolia.
The five-week MOOC, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, featured distinguished speakers Dr. Kelly Wonder and Ms. Kelly Ann Keegan, both former English Language Fellows, and an inspirational message from the Regional English Language Officer (RELO), Dr. Carleen Velez. The MOOC Camp, a blend of online and face-to-face interactions, ran from October 23 to November 27, 2003, offering a comprehensive learning experience on student motivation and engagement.
Ms. Kelly Ann Keegan, an Iowa-based Learning and Development Specialist, has a rich background in English as a Second Language (ESL) and teaching internationally—her tenure in the English Language Fellowship program and as a U.S. university lecturer underscores her field expertise. Dr. Kelly Wonder, affiliated with the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, specializes in TESOL, Applied Linguistics, and Leadership. Dr. Carleen Velez, on the other hand, with expertise in Japanese, Linguistics, TESOL, and Applied Linguistics, boasts over two decades of experience in educational and administrative roles and is currently serving as RELO.
The MOOC camp, initiated by Dr. Melda M. Uychoco, Ms. Abelynn T. Llarenas, and Mr. Joshua Justin Lee C. Bautista, all Global Open Course alums, integrated a flipped learning model. This approach allowed participants to independently study online modules and then engage in weekly discussions and activities, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Weeks of the course addressed various themes, starting with foundational concepts in motivation and engagement, followed by classroom community, needs analysis, and differentiated instruction. Subsequent weeks delved into assessments, feedback, metacognition, project-based learning, and gamification, enriched by the expertise and experience of the guest speakers.
This DMMMSU-SLUC College of Graduate Studies initiative is part of Project IELTS under the Student and Teacher Support (STEP) Extension Program. It marks the eighth year of the university’s involvement in delivering MOOCs, demonstrating its commitment to advancing educational practices and supporting the professional growth of educators globally. (By Joshua Justin Lee Bautista)