Creating courses for adult learners on ESSRG’s online learning platform

ESSRG has been developing an online e-learning platform in Hungarian and English to render research outputs and project-based scientific knowledge more accessible to a larger public. Adaptation of online teaching methodologies became a preference for ESSRG, not merely for disseminating knowledge efficiently but also for offering quality e-courses for adult learners.

Online courses provide an alternative and secure way for knowledge sharing and acquisition during the global pandemic. It allows learners to flexibly organise their schedule and learn independently regardless of their physical location. Although online learning seems fun to do at first glance, this format might bring challenges for individual learners and educators alike. In an online setting, not merely the course design and tasks have rapidly been transforming, but also the role of educators needs to be reconsidered.

 

Source: Online Teaching: Creating Courses for Adult Learners, The Open University, Adapted by Leigh-Anne Perryman with permission from Simon Bates

Alexandra Czeglédi, a junior researcher at ESSRG, joined the Open University’s microcredential course, entitled ‘Online teaching: Creating Courses for Adult Learners’ at Future Learn to study critical theories, innovative methodologies and acquire practical skills to improve her online course design. She is co-creating a 5-week-long course in the field of citizen science for early carrier researchers in the natural and social sciences in Hungary.

During the 12-week-long course, Alexandra became familiar with key concepts and theories applied in online teachings such as critical digital pedagogy, open pedagogy, the 21st-century educator’s role and group assessment. In addition, she learned how to chose online digital tools and design online teaching activities that best fit her diverse target group. The microcredential course, all in all, paid attention to equitable and inclusive learning and provided her with various templates and sources that can be transfer into any field of expertise.

ESSRG researchers, led by Diana Szakál, are holding regular meetings to develop soft skills in designing online courses and facilitating online learning. They co-develop courses by implementing their know-how in various areas of expertise including agricultural biodiversity, food sovereignty, food systems thinking, science-policy interface and citizen science.

List of ESSRG’s available and upcoming courses:

Selected resources from the microcredential course: