Can MOOCs Learn From MMOGs?

By Donald Beagle. Back in 2004-05, while I was writing The Information Commons Handbook (ALA / Neal-Schuman, 2006), I became keenly interested in the potential for Massive Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) to be morphed into web-based learning environments by enterprising and creative faculty in collaboration with librarians. I was especially struck by a) the extraordinary size and scope of the typical MMOG player base, and b) the remarkable degree of user engagement and persistence. I called attention to these factors in my book, because I saw the new academic library framework of the Information Commons and Learning Commons as possible platforms for MMOG learning-model development by faculty and MMOG learning-model engagement by students. These possibilities seemed to me exciting, and potentially transformative. More...