Massive open online course or known as MOOC is now the trend in providing education not only for young students but also for our not so young people. To provide you with information I have here an interview with a Mooc camp leader in the Philippines, none other than Mrs. Alyanna Mae Lazaro Capiral!
- What challenges do you have to face as a Mooc camp leader personally and in terms of leadership?
In the beginning it was quite difficult to manage teachers since these teachers already have their own personalities and careers, but after a few courses it was already a breeze. There was one member in administration who got mad at me for being able to complete a requirement which was 1 video instead of attending a general meeting in one of the past courses. The financial aspect is also a challenge, since I had done things for my camp for free, for example, I had to place orders for MOOC t-shirts in Quezon City or Manila and claim — the “transpo” costs and the hassle, in particular the supplier mostly does not follow the agreed pickup time and I had to wait for hours.
- How did you overcome these challenges? And what learning experiences have been made from it so far?
I’m just trying my best to run the camp and be professional, personable and encouraging to my members. I have improved a lot when it comes to social skills, communication skills and interpersonal skills.
- How long have you been moocating? What courses have you taken so far?
I started MOOCing in July 2018. I have taken the following courses:
English for Career Development, Moving the Margins: Fiction and Inclusion, Professional Development for Teacher-Trainers, English for Media Literacy, Content-Based Instruction, and Teaching Grammar Communicative Teaching.
- What qualities do you have to have when leading a camp to ensure a high level of participation among graduates?
It’s actually no longer up to the camp director, but rather up to the camp members whether they really want to finish the course or not. In my experience, those who are self-motivated and looking not just for the certificate but more for actual learning and professional growth complete the course.
Perhaps a MOOC camp leader should be passionate and a real doer, which means they need to see that you really like MOOCs and help others too.
- In the case of conflicting schedules between you and the group or between them, how do you deal with idleness and half-baked attitudes from some, if there have been any?
As I said in #1, there was one MOOCer who really gave me a hard time because of her attitude. With some members, I usually plan ahead and ask when would be the best time to conduct the general meeting and outreach. I suggest a specific date and time, then we agree. Regarding recruitment, I’ve removed MOOCers from our group chat if they don’t answer my questions or acknowledge my announcements after “seeing” them for a week. I even tag them in group chats to make sure they read the information.
- In hindsight, were there cases of non-completion? And how did you deal with the situation?
My camp is actually made up of people from different schools and areas in Bulacan. There are non-graduates, but that would be about 20 percent of those who chose to enroll. They are usually what I call “referral strangers” meaning no one in my group knows them personally and actually only joined MOOC Camp PH because of the Facebook page. If I know you personally or we have a mutual friend, I will try to help you address your concerns, especially midway through the course. By the second week I usually have an idea of who will or will not finish the course I will just confirm before going into action.
- How was the trip with mooc for you professionally? Work out.
Professionally, I have met research enthusiasts like myself. You have been my inspiration to help others become better teachers. Most of the leaders in our group hold important positions in their provinces or schools. Also, most of us complete our master’s degrees if we don’t already have a PhD. That’s how competent the MOOC leaders are. I had been invited to judge university competitions and to give lectures at some of my members’ schools. Due to our MOOC father—Professor Mabuan, who shared the call for papers for an international research conference in Taiwan, I was able to write a research abstract entitled “A Morphological and Syntantic Analysis of Gen. Z words as Used by Filipino Students” Submit. and fortunately the said paper was accepted in the conference. I was also able to present my paper on How to Contextualize Post Modernism in SHS class, which I presented at the Philippine Normal University during the National Conference in Literature last October 2018, to a larger group of around 150-200 participants during one of the MOOC outreach . I gained friends and family at the MOOC Camp PH more than professionally.
- Aside from moocing, what other things have you been busy with?
I am busy with my thesis in my Master of Arts in Education in Literature. I teach Purposeful Communication in tertiary education. I also organize events for Young Living Philippines under the Mayo Makemasters team, which promotes healthier, toxin-free lifestyles through the help of essential oils and other products. I’m busy looking for more academic conferences hahaha! I am busy planning my trips and traveling.
- Would you recommend moocing to other people in the area?
Yes! But only for people who are very eager to learn. MOOCing is not for everyone as it requires dedication, time and a love of learning and love for others. It follows the motto of my alma matter, “Truth, Service, and Excellence,” which is very PNU.
10 One word to describe Alyanna Mae Lazaro Capiral.
Passionate.
Indeed true.
So there you have it. Straightforward and honest sharing of her experiences as a Moocerin and a Mooc camp leader herself. Thank you Mrs Alianna!
mom Alyanna Mae L. Capiral, LPT, completed a dual Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Secondary Education degree in Literature from Philippine Normal University. She is a PhD candidate for the Master of Arts in Education in Literature at the same university. In addition, she completed certificate courses sponsored by the US Department of State.
Since 2015, she has been associated with Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila as a part-time lecturer at the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, where she performed other duties such as textbook reviewer, thesis advisor and editor. She also presented papers at local and international conferences.
She has been teaching various subjects in senior high school since her induction. It serves as a Massive Online Open Course for Camp Bulacan leaders under the Regional English Language Office-Manila.
She is a simple lady with humble beginnings from Obando, Bulacan.
Thanks to Larry Icabandi Nabiong | #MOOCMassive #Open #Online #Future
