The Impact of Open Source

Open Yale Courses

“Open source software is intended to be freely shared and be improved upon and redistributed to others. The code in which the software is written is free and available to anyone to do just about anything with it, as long as the uses are consistent with a 10-part definition maintained by the Open Source Initiative (OSI). Open source does not mean unlicensed. Open source software typically has a license, but the terms of the license should comply with the Open Source Initiative definition before the software is truly open source" (Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S., 2012, pp. 141).
The Open Course I decided to evaluate is Open Yale Courses http://oyc.yale.edu/. Open Yale Courses provides free and open access to a selection of introductory courses taught by distinguished teachers and scholars at Yale University. The aim of the project is to expand access to educational materials for all who wish to learn (Open Yale courses website, 2012). Even though learners won’t receive course credits, degrees, or certificates they are still able to learn and grow in different areas. This will prepare them if they decide to go to college. The best part about this open source is that no registration is required and the lectures are recorded in a real classroom. The videos and audio elements are available on YouTube and iTunes.
“The online courses are designed for a wide range of people around the world, among them self-directed and life-long learners, educators, and high school and college students. The integrated, highly flexible web interface allows users, in effect, to audit Yale undergraduate courses if they wish to. It also gives the user a wide variety of other options for structuring the learning process, for example downloading, redistributing, and remixing course materials” (Open Yale courses website, 2012).
“Each course includes a full set of class lectures produced in high-quality video accompanied by such other course materials as syllabi, suggested readings, and problem sets. The lectures are available as downloadable videos, and an audio-only version is also offered. In addition, searchable transcripts of each lecture are provided” (Open Yale courses website, 2012).
The course I explored was Listening to Music from the Department of Music. “This course fosters the development of aural skills that lead to an understanding of Western music. The musical novice is introduced to the ways in which music is put together and is taught how to listen to a wide variety of musical styles, from Bach and Mozart, to Gregorian chant, to the blues” (Open Yale courses website, 2012).

Does the course appear to be carefully pre-planned and designed for a distance learning environment? How so?

• Yes this course appears to be carefully pre-planned and designed for a distance learning environment. The course is taught by an experience music professor and author. This course offers the necessary materials for a distance learner. There is a syllabus, sessions, a survey, buy books, and other course materials. There are also twenty-three lectures that are available to learners. Each lecture provides an overview and a video. Some lectures even have extra resources. Learners shouldn’t have a problem with this course. Everything that is needed to succeed his course is present.

Does the course follow the recommendations for online instruction as listed in your course textbook?

• This course offers Organizational Guidelines, Unit-Module-Topic Guidelines, Assessment Guidelines, Content Guidelines, and Instruction/Teaching Guidelines as the course textbook recommends for online instruction. These guidelines are used to offer and develop ways to organize courses for a distance learning environment.

Did the course designer implement course activities that maximize active learning for the students?

• I do believe that the course designer implemented course activities that maximized active learning for the students. He offered quizzes, listening exercises, tests, and reviews. It’s up to the learners if they want to participate to learn about music.

The course and other materials are very clear and understanding. The learners are provided with an overview to give them insight on what to expect during each lecture. The professor shows interaction with students and he provides musical presentations for learners to understand.

 

 

References
Open Yale Courses. MUSI 112: Listening To Music. Retrieved on April 8, 2012. http://oyc.yale.edu/music
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.