The Nordic Studies Online as a part of the digi-loikka project aims to create a digital learning platform about the Nordics. This project is a joint-initiative of several scholars from the University of Helsinki (Department of Cultures/Centre for Nordic Studies), University of Gdansk (Scandinavian Studies) and Aarhus University (Department of History), and also cooperates with the ReNEW research hub and with the online platform, nordics.info.
First NSO project meeting in Helsinki, 10 January 2020 (photo Maja Chacińska)
The NSO project was officially launched during the first project meeting in Helsinki on 10 January 2020. During this meeting we discussed possible forms, aims and objectives of our project and agreed to divide the project into two parts. The first aim is to develop a smaller scale, “pilot”, version of our MOOC course “The Nordics: Narratives and Practices of a Region”, which we will test with our BA and MA students at the University of Helsinki, University of Gdansk and University of Aarhus. This pilot course will enable us, the organisers, to learn how to use the MOOC platform and how to design and manage a smaller version of a MOOC course. We will collect feedback from our students, which will help us to further develop and improve our course accordingly. The pilot course will be launched in September 2020. The second aim is to develop a version of this MOOC course, which will be open for anyone who wishes to participate. This course will be aimed not only for BA and MA students, but also for professionals who would like to learn more about the Nordic working culture and anyone who is interested in the Nordics and themes such as Nordic cooperation, Nordic exceptionalism, Nordic cultures and societies. We will launch this course in September 2021.
The first meeting was followed by Digi-leap MOOC ABC workshop. This training was organised by the Educational Technology Services at the University of Helsinki and led by Sanna-Katja Parikka. During the workshop we discussed the MOOC platform, development of a course structure and types of assessments. The practical part of the workshop focused on designing the first draft of the MOOC course structure. We have been working on the course structure since this training and currently our course consists of 9 modules.
The project Technical Assistant, Jana Lainto, attended also the Moodle basic training in Viikki campus on 10 March 2020. This workshop introduced the most important tools for constructing a moodle course. Attending of the second training, Moodle & MOOC Clinic, is scheduled for 1 June 2020.
The scheduling of our second meeting, which was supposed to take place in spring 2020 in Aarhus, was bit challenging. The NSO team consists of 8 international scholars from different universities with different schedules and it was difficult to find a suitable date for everyone. In the end we planned the second meeting and training for 29-30 April 2020. Due to the corona virus outbreak, we unfortunately are not able to meet in Aarhus, however, we will proceed with this meeting and training online via a Zoom call during the same time as was previously scheduled.
Jana Lainto