Analysis of an Open Online Course

Open Yale Course MUSI112- Listening to Music

URL: http://oyc.yale.edu/music/musi-112

The open course that I choose to analyze is one from Yale University. The class is MUSI112 Listening to Music. This course is designed for people to take to learn the basics of what to listen for when listening to music. This online class checked off most of the recommendations for an online class from within the textbook Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Learning written by Simonson, Smaldino, Albright and Zvacek.

It looks as the course was very well thought out and presented in a prepared fashion. Mr. Wright had music samples to be played; he had some sort of document or presentation for his use. I guessing this acted as flashcards so that he hit and reached all of the learning outcomes for the class session. Mr. Wright also seemed very knowledgeable and familiar with music.

Many of the positives were that the goals and objectives were clearly stated and established at the beginning of the lecture. The main goal or objective of the course is “How to listen to music.” The Professor, Mr. Wright, mentioned have handed out a syllabus that went over all of the expectations for the course. He also explained the course as “The most basic course the music department offered.” (Wright, 2008). Also, the professor identified with the student audience by mentioning, that students did not need any prior music knowledge and that they would walk out of the course knowing all the basics.

When first visiting the site, you see a well-organized and clean learning environment. There are navigating tabs underneath the course name that lead you to the syllabus, sessions, surveying and a link to the campus store to buy any materials needed for the course. The syllabus lists all grading policies, learning objectives, course materials and requirements that students need to know. When watching the videos from classroom discussions, a time line is provided letting the learner know different concepts or important ideas that the learner can instantly navigate to in the video.

           

There were a few points from the checklist that are not addressed anywhere within the learning environment. A few were examples of acceptable and unacceptable topics, caveats and instructions for completing and submitting assignments. Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, Zvacek, 2012). It looks to me as though this or was not originally designed for an online environment. I believe it was created for a classroom environment and then made available online. The videos are recorded from lectured given in a classroom. You can see and hear the interaction between students and professor. There seem to be no areas where students, who just wanted to further their knowledge, could submit and turn in course work.

The course assignments are listed and seem to provide a resource for students to use. Many of the assignments look to be listening activities. After completing the assignment, materials assigned would be further discussed in the next class session video. Musical concepts and objectives are being reached and taught through the assignments. The assignments seem to be extensions of the classroom.

The idea of an open online course is a wonderful one. Those who cannot afford an education can still gain access to terrific learning environments. At the same time, the learner is completely responsible for his or her outcomes when completing the course. The learner cannot receive feedback from the professor or even receive a degree or certificate for completing. It is a wonderful way for a person to continue their knowledge or learn about a new subject.

References

Wright, C. 2008.  Session One: Introduction (Video File). 

Retrieved from: http://oyc.yale.edu/music/musi-112/lecture-1

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.