CIVIS adds a new string to its bow with MOOC on climate and energy!
Educators from 10 CIVIS member universities have joined forces to develop a MOOC on a matter of great concern to all of us. The very first CIVIS MOOC addresses climate and energy from an interdisciplinary perspective. It will be open to students from any background who want to explore new ways of thinking about the climate and ecological crisis.
CIVIS is experimenting with the MOOC format
Since its creation, CIVIS has not stopped expanding its educational offer for students. CIVIS is now adding another string to its bow and launching its very first MOOC: "Climate and energy - An interdisciplinary perspective".
MOOC stands for ‘massive open online course’. These courses are free, accessible to everyone and completely online. They offer participants a flexible way to build their knowledge in all sorts of areas. This first CIVIS MOOC was built by our member universities for students, academics, and staff members who would like to prepare for a new educational path, develop career skills or explore a new interest. In fact, CIVIS MOOCs will usually be open to everyone, including the general public. So participants do not need to be part of a member university to enjoy a CIVIS experience!
Climate and energy - An interdisciplinary perspective
What is this MOOC about? An overview from Alasdair Skelton, Professor of Geochemistry and Petrology at Stockholm University:
This massive online open course was created by educators from 10 CIVIS universities. It is for students from any background who wants to find out how to approach the climate and ecological crisis from an interdisciplinary perspective. It is both a self-standing introduction to climate and energy, and a “taster” for an entirely new transdisciplinary master’s program in climate and energy. This new degree is the flagship activity of CIVIS Hub 1 – Climate, environment and energy. Our intention is to involve all 11 CIVIS universities and for it to be launched in 2024.
With this MOOC, participants will learn about the climate of the past and how it is studied, the state of the climate, global cycles (carbon, water), human impacts on climate and biodiversity, and climate change solutions, from energy to policy.
According to Hannah John, Learning Innovation Officer, it is also very interesting to engage in this MOOC from a pedagogical point of view:
This free 4-week course, offered on FutureLearn, offers learners the opportunity to connect with others across the globe and gain insights on Climate and Energy while engaging with educators from different disciplines at 10 universities. This course allows for flexible learning and can be taken as a stand-alone course or act as a supplementary course that can be integrated into a learner’s existing studies or act as springboard for learners to enter a new field of study or continue their education.
A special launch
This MOOC consists of four weekly modules, each of which takes approximately 3 hours. The first course cycle of the MOOC will be running from 30 January to 24 February, and the advantage of joining the first course cycle is that instructors will be online engaging in the discussions. After this period of time, the MOOC will remain available for “on-demand” access but without direct interaction with professors.
Eligibility and registration
This MOOC is open to anyone with an interest in the topic. There is no requirement to be a student at a CIVIS member university, or even a student at all, and there is no formal selection process. However, the course may be of particular interest for undergraduates in any discipline who want to broaden their perspective on climate and energy beyond their own field of study.
Registration for the first cycle opens on 9 January 2023, for a kick-off on 30 January. Click here for more information on how to register.