There is increasing evidence that a distinct European MOOC model is emerging. Already four independent European studies conclude that the European HEIs are much more involved in MOOCs compared to for example US and also that their reasons to invest in this new format differs in some aspects as well. It is argued that these differences between the U.S. and Europe might be related to the differences between higher educational systems, political environments and educational values.
These results are based on two surveys of the HOME project- Higher education Online: MOOCs the European way. In addition the EUA in 2013 conducted a survey related to e-learning and included some questions on MOOCs. In 2015 JRC-IPTS conducted a survey on open education in Europe. The HOME project conducted two successive surveys (2014, 2015) to contribute to a better understanding of the strategic reasons why a higher education institution is or isn’t involved in MOOCs, and compared these reasons with the results of similar studies. The survey of 2016 is now open until 1 February 2017.
The HOME project two successive surveys, several publications, dissemination activities and four main networking events the HOME project had a substantial impact throughout Europe and strongly contributed to the identification of a European MOOC model.
During the first project period the emphasis was on the overall analysis of the opportunities and characteristics for European cooperation on MOOCs. We started with a definition of what’s a MOOC and what isn’t, in collaboration with many EU-funded MOOC projects. Next a survey to benchmark strategies on MOOC of European institutions and governments was conducted. The survey results were published in a report titled “Institutional MOOC strategies in Europe”. The partnership agreed to repeat the survey the coming years. The second survey was conducted end 2015, and led to further identifications the European MOOC model as identified in the report Comparing Institutional MOOC strategies. In addition seven Country Reports were published as well.
Based on an open call for position papers on the opportunities and characteristics for European cooperation on MOOCs, in total 15 papers were accepted for publication in a separate peer reviewed report. Some of them were invited to present their views during conference organised by HOME project titled “Mapping the European MOOC Territory” in Porto. During that Porto Declaration on European MOOCs was developed and is now signed by over 70 organisations.
In addition the HOME project organised three other networking events as part of projects’ milestones.
- Masterclass How Europe seizes the opportunities offered by MOOCs with 76 participants mainly aimed at building an expert network on topics like pedagogical & didactical MOOC models, shared services, business models, MOOC platforms and the role of media.
- Conference WOW! Europe embraces MOOCs with 156 participants producing a peer reviewed report of 31 papers 'MOOCs in Europe' demonstrating that Europe is re-engineering the generic MOOC model to allow for a broad spectrum of approaches and contexts.
- Policy Forum on European MOOCs with 61 participants, focussing on the MOOC policies of several stakeholders – published in report ‘European policy response on MOOC opportunities' with 19 policy papers
