Hibernia College to host Ireland's first massive open online course exploring Irish identity this May

Hibernia College in Dublin will be delivering a new online course with a focus on Irish identity, starting on 27 May. 

The eight week long course in association with Irish tourism initiative The Gathering, will be available to anyone, anywhere in the world free of charge. It's the first Irish massive open online course (MOOC) and television presenter John Maguire.

The MOOC will consist of 6 - 8 lessons (1 per week) each of which contains the following components: 

• A set of pre-recorded video presentations 
  
• A knowledge check self-assessment quiz 
  
• A forum related task where students are asked to reflect on the course material 

Course content is to be accessed through the use of a virtual learning environment (VLE) which will track the students' activity on each of the three components. Students will also be able to engage with each other through forums and study groups.

If students have completed all of the tasks, at the end of the course they'll be able to download a certificate of completion branded by both partners.

L-R: Minister Jimmy Deenihan, Professor Thomas Mitchell (Hibernia College), Sara McDonnell (Hibernia College), Jim Miley (The Gathering 2013)

The idea for a MOOC exploring Irish identity was conceived in Hibernia College as a response to the Government’s The Gathering initiative. MOOCs have grown enormously in popularity and scope over the last 18 months. They are now offered by many acclaimed international educational institutions.

Up to now, there is not a single programme related to Irish identity on any of the MOOC platforms.

Hibernia College is delighted to address this. As Ireland’s only dedicated online third-level institution, the College is well placed and qualified to deliver Exploring Irish Identity to a global audience.

- President of Hibernia College, Dr Sean Rowland

Registration for more information can be found at: mooc.hiberniacollege.com

Categories: Hibernia College, Dublin, Ireland, Internet, Course, Online, Identity