MOOC vs Face to Face (F2F) Model: What Relevance for Creativity Development?

Abstract

Teaching invention problem solving methods is complex because it aims to improve the learner’s creativity, which is not a knowledge but an intrinsic competence. This paper presents an empirical study to compare the effectiveness of the MOOC’s model and the Face to Face (F2F) model for teaching methods of solving invention problems. It answers the following research question: Is MOOC’s model more relevant than F2F model for learners’ creativity development? Our methodology consists in observing a population of 28 students who have followed a solving invention problems course simultaneously in two forms: a part delivered through a MOOC and a part delivered in F2F classroom. Correlations analysis between the evaluations carried out on the MOOC and F2F of the two parts of the course led to several conclusions:The overall assessment through the MOOC and F2F of all the parts delivered in the course are not correlated. There is therefore no correlation between the level of competence acquired through the MOOC and the level of competence acquired in the classroom.The Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) evaluation of the part delivered on the MOOC is weakly but positively correlated with the F2F MCQ evaluation of the same content. This proves the low reliability of the MOOC assessment. The same analysis dealing with exercise activities showed, on the other hand, that there is no correlation between the MOOC and F2F evaluation. Thus, MOOC’s assessment of exercise activities is not at all reliable.Finally, evaluation on table of the part delivered by the MOOC and the part delivered in F2F classroom does not show any correlation. This proves that learners who appreciate the F2F model do not necessarily appreciate the MOOC’s model and vice versa. But the analysis of these assessments shows that the MOOC’s model gives slightly better results than F2F one.The experiment conducted on a limited sample does not allow to draw definitive conclusions. It will be reproduced next year with a larger student sample, some teaching material improvements and learners’ motivation support.