Introduction
The expectations for sustainable food production in aquatic systems are high, especially of low trophic species products with a low carbon footprint. To enhance the knowledge among students, practitioners, and teachers, we are developing a massive open online course (MOOC) in sustainable aquaculture for low trophic species (SALTS). The course will contribute to the much-needed increased literacy in the field necessary for enhanced and diversified aquaculture production. In this presentation, we describe the methodological approach for MOOC development, present the course content and structure, and demonstrate a pilot module.
How to develop a MOOC
According to the constructive alignment theory, deciding on learning outcomes is the first and the most important step in developing a course. Learning outcomes will guide what material should go into the course and what type of assessments will be used. SALTS is a master level course, which means we expect the students to acquire higher levels of cognitive learning (Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy – Apply, Analyse, Evaluate, and Create). Higher levels of learning expect students to have a good knowledge of the concepts. Therefore, some learning activities and assessments must occur at the lower levels of cognitive learning (Remember, Understand). The aim is to cover the value chain of several low trophic species through 10 modules. The AquaVitae Horizon 2020 project scientists provide the recent research-based content needed.
Course modules and the pilot
The modules are: 1) Sustainability of Low Trophic Aquaculture (LTA), 2) Governance of LTA, 3) Food nutrition and safety, and consumer perspectives 4) Business, economics, and markets, 5) Production systems, 6) Macroalgae, 7) Echinoderms, 8) Molluscs, 9) Herbivorous finfish, and 10) Future of LTA. Each module begins with a short introduction video followed by an engagement activity. The module contains 2-3 sub-topics, including videos, quizzes, reading material, advanced assessment and additional material. We aim to create educational material for online students, and for teachers who will utilise the material in a flipped classroom format. The entire course is equivalent to 5 ECTS points (125-140 hours in total). Each module will take approximately 13 hours to complete. The pilot topic on Sea Urchins will be presented in more detail to exemplify the process and the outcome. We also wish to make the pilots available for testing online so that the interested attendant can provide feedback. The course will be available on the Open edX platform and disseminated through the ALTANet platform.
References
Anderson, L. W. and Krathwohl, D. R., et al (Eds..) (2001) A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing: A Revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. Allyn & Bacon. Boston, MA (Pearson Education Group)
Biggs, J. (1996). Enhancing teaching through constructive alignment. Higher education, 32(3), 347-364.
Latorre-Cosculluela Cecilia, Cristina Suárez, Sonia Quiroga, Natalia Sobradiel-Sierra, Raquel Lozano-Blasco, Ana Rodríguez-Martínez (2020) Flipped Classroom model before and during COVID-19: using technology to develop 21st century skills. Interactive Technology and Smart Education