Developing and Pilot Testing of a Mini Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Occupational Epidemiology

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Public health education
• Online learning

Background:

• Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) provide flexible global education.
• Occupational epidemiology knowledge and skills are crucial for public health.
• There is a need for accessible training in occupational epidemiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and pilot test a mini MOOC for occupational epidemiology.
• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of online learning in this specialized field.

Main Methods:

• Instructional design principles were applied to create the MOOC.
• A pilot version with four modules was developed, requiring an 8-hour commitment.
• Thirty postgraduate students participated in the pilot evaluation.

Main Results:

• Students appreciated the active learning approach and rated learning effects and structure highly.
• The pilot demonstrated positive reception of the MOOC's content and design.
• Participants desired increased feedback and interaction within the course.

Conclusions:

• The mini MOOC is a viable method for teaching occupational epidemiology.
• Student satisfaction was high, but development time was significant.
• Multi-institutional and international collaboration is recommended for future MOOC development.