Massive open online course or known as MOOC is now the trend in education not only for young learners but also for our not so young people. To provide you with information, here I have an interview with a mooc camp leader in the Philippines, none other than Ms. Alyanna Mae Lazaro Capiral!
- As a mooc camp leader, what are the challenges one has to face on a personal and managerial level?
At first, it was quite difficult to be the leader of the teachers, since these teachers already have their own personalities and careers, but after a few courses, it was already very easy. From an administrative point of view, there is a member who got angry with me because he was able to fulfill a requirement, which is a video of 1, instead of attending a general meeting in one of the previous courses. The financial aspect is also a challenge, as I had been doing things for my camp for free, for example, I had to order and claim orders for MOOC T-shirts in Quezon City or Manila — the cost and effort of ” transposition”, especially from the supplier most of the times does not follow the agreed time for the pick up and I had to wait for hours.
- How did you overcome those challenges? And what learning experiences have been gained, so far, from such?
I just do my best to run the camp and be professional, understanding and motivating for my members. I improved a lot when it comes to social skills, communication skills and interpersonal skills.
- How long have you been mooing? What are the courses you have taken so far?
I started doing MOOCs in July 2018. I took the following courses:
English for Professional Development, Moving the Margins: Fiction and Inclusion, Professional Development for Teacher Educators, English for Media Literacy, Content-Based Instruction, and Teaching Grammar Communicatively.
- When running a camp, what are the qualities one must have to ensure a high turnover of those who complete?
Actually, it is not more up to the camp leader but to the camp members if they really want to finish the course or not. With my experience, those who are motivated and are not just looking for the certificate, but rather real learning and professional growth, finish the course.
Perhaps because of his qualities, a MOOC camp leader must be passionate and a real worker, which means he must see that you really like MOOCs and help others too.
- In the event of a schedule conflict between you and the group or between them, how do you deal with slackers and halfhearted attitudes from some, if any?
As I said in number 1, there was a MOOCer that really gave me a hard time because of her attitude. For some members, I usually plan ahead and ask when would be the best time to hold the general meeting and outreach. I suggest a specific date and time, then we agree. Attitude wise, I removed MOOC users in our group chat if they didn’t answer my queries or didn’t acknowledge my ads after a week of “seeing” them. I even tag them in group chats to make sure they read the information.
- In retrospect, have there been cases of people not completing? And how did you handle the situation?
My camp is actually made up of people from different schools and areas in Bulacan. There are people who didn’t complete, but that would be about 20 percent of those who intended to sign up. They are usually what I call “referral outsiders” meaning no one knows them personally from my group and they actually joined because of the MOOC Camp PH Facebook page. If personally, I know you or we have a mutual friend, I will try to help address your concerns, especially mid-week of the course, by the second week I usually have an idea who will finish the course or not, so I’ll confirm before the outreach.
- From a professional point of view, how has the mooc journey been for you? Elaborate.
Professionally, I put research enthusiasts like myself. They have been my inspiration to help others become better teachers. Most of our group leaders hold important positions in their provinces or schools. Also, most of us are completing our master’s degrees if not already have our doctorates. That’s how competent MOOC leaders are. I had been invited to judge college competitions and speak at some of my members’ schools. Thanks to our MOOC father, Professor Mabuan, who shared the call for papers for an international research conference in Taiwan, I was able to submit a research abstract titled “A Morphological and Syntantic Analysis of Generation Z Words as They Use Them”. Filipino students. and fortunately that work was accepted at the conference. I was also able to share my article on How to Contextualize Postmodernism in the SHS Class that I presented at the Philippine Normal University during the National Literature Conference in October 2018 to a larger group that had 150-200 participants during one of the MOOCs. . . More than professionally, I gained friends and family at MOOC Camp PH.
- Apart from mooing, what other things have you been busy with?
I am busy with my thesis in my Master of Arts in Education in Literature. I am teaching the subject Proactive Communication at the Tertiary level. I also host events for Young Living-Philippines under the Mayo Makemasters team that promotes a healthier, toxin-free lifestyle through the help of essential oils and other products. I’m busy looking for more academic lectures lol! I am busy planning my trips and traveling too.
- Would you recommend mooing to other people around?
Yeah! But only for people who really want to learn. MOOCing is not for everyone, as it requires dedication, time, and a love of learning and a love of others. It follows my Alma Matter motto “Truth, Service and Excellence” which is very PNU.
10 One word to describe Alyanna Mae Lázaro Capiral.
Passionate.
True indeed.
So there you have it. Direct and honest exchange of her experiences as a moocer as well as being the leader of a mooc camp herself. Thank you Miss Alyanna!
Ma. Alyanna Mae L. Capiral, LPT earned a dual degree in Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Secondary Education in Literature from Philippine Normal University. She is a thesis candidate for the Master of Arts in Education in Literature from the same university. In addition, she followed Certificate courses sponsored by the United States Department of State.
Since 2015, she has been affiliated with Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila as a part-time professor in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, where she handled other responsibilities as textbook evaluator, thesis adviser and editor. Likewise, she presented papers at local and international conferences.
It has been teaching different subjects in the Higher Secondary School since its initial implementation. She serves as the Massive Open Online Course Leader for Camp Bulacan at the Manila Regional English Language Office.
She is a simple lady with humble origins from Obando, Bulacan.
