@article{PerachAlexandron2021,
  author    = {Perach, Shai and Alexandron, Giora},
  title     = {A MOOC-Based Computer Science Program for Middle School},
  series = {EMOOCs 2021},
  volume    = {2021},
  journal   = {EMOOCs 2021},
  publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Potsdam},
  address   = {Potsdam},
  isbn      = {978-3-86956-512-5},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-51713},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-517133},
  pages     = {111 -- 127},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {In an attempt to pave the way for more extensive Computer Science Education (CSE) coverage in K-12, this research developed and made a preliminary evaluation of a blended-learning Introduction to CS program based on an academic MOOC. Using an academic MOOC that is pedagogically effective and engaging, such a program may provide teachers with disciplinary scaffolds and allow them to focus their attention on enhancing students' learning experience and nurturing critical 21st-century skills such as self-regulated learning. As we demonstrate, this enabled us to introduce an academic level course to middle-school students. In this research, we developed the principals and initial version of such a program, targeting ninth-graders in science-track classes who learn CS as part of their standard curriculum. We found that the middle-schoolers who participated in the program achieved academic results on par with undergraduate students taking this MOOC for academic credit. Participating students also developed a more accurate perception of the essence of CS as a scientific discipline. The unplanned school closure due to the COVID19 pandemic outbreak challenged the research but underlined the advantages of such a MOOCbased blended learning program above classic pedagogy in times of global or local crises that lead to school closure. While most of the science track classes seem to stop learning CS almost entirely, and the end-of-year MoE exam was discarded, the program's classes smoothly moved to remote learning mode, and students continued to study at a pace similar to that experienced before the school shut down.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GershonRuiperezValienteAlexandron2021,
  author    = {Gershon, Sa'ar Karp and Ruip{\´e}rez-Valiente, Jos{\´e} A. and Alexandron, Giora},
  title     = {MOOC Monetization Changes and Completion Rates},
  series = {EMOOCs 2021},
  volume    = {2021},
  journal   = {EMOOCs 2021},
  publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Potsdam},
  address   = {Potsdam},
  isbn      = {978-3-86956-512-5},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-51718},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-517189},
  pages     = {169 -- 179},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offer online courses at low cost for anyone with an internet access. At its early days, the MOOC movement raised the flag of democratizing education, but soon enough, this utopian idea collided with the need to find sustainable business models. Moving from open access to a new financially sustainable certification and monetization policy in December 2015 we aim at this change-point and observe the completion rates before and after this monetary change. In this study we investigate the impact of the change on learners from countries of different development status. Our findings suggest that this change has lowered the completion rates among learners from developing countries, increasing gaps that already existed between global learners from countries of low and high development status. This suggests that more inclusive monetization policies may help MOOCs benefits to spread more equally among global learners.},
  language  = {en}
}