What is a Links Style Course?
A "Links style course" isn't a formally recognized or standardized term in education. It's likely referring to a type of learning experience that embodies characteristics similar to those found in the popular online course platform, Coursera, or other Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) but with a particular focus on linking learning materials together in a specific way. To understand what this might entail, let's break down the possible interpretations based on common online course features:
What Makes Online Courses Like Coursera Popular?
Before defining "Links style," let's understand the common features of successful online courses:
- Modular Structure: Courses are broken into smaller, manageable modules or lessons, each focusing on a specific topic or skill.
- Interactive Content: Effective online courses incorporate videos, quizzes, assignments, and discussions to engage learners.
- Clear Learning Objectives: Learners know precisely what they will achieve upon course completion.
- Structured Progression: Content is presented in a logical order, building upon previous knowledge.
- Assessment and Feedback: Regular assessments and feedback mechanisms help learners track progress and identify areas needing improvement.
Interpreting "Links Style" in Online Courses
Based on this, "Links style" could refer to a few key aspects of course design:
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Emphasis on Hyperlinking and External Resources: The course might heavily rely on links to external websites, articles, research papers, and other supplementary materials. This approach allows for a dynamic learning experience, incorporating diverse perspectives and current information. The "links" are central to the learning experience.
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Networked Learning: The course structure might resemble a network, where different modules are interconnected through hyperlinks. Learners might navigate through the content non-linearly, following pathways relevant to their interests or learning needs. This fosters a more personalized and flexible learning journey.
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Interlinking of Concepts: The course may focus on explicitly demonstrating the connections between different concepts and topics. Instead of presenting information in isolated modules, the "links" would be the explicit connections explained between each element.
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Community and Collaboration: A "Links style" approach might incorporate a strong emphasis on community-building and collaborative learning. Links might connect learners to discussion forums, online communities, or collaborative projects, fostering peer-to-peer learning.
What might a "Links Style" Course Look Like in Practice?
Imagine a course on "The History of the Internet." A "Links style" version might:
- Not just present historical facts, but actively link to primary source materials like original RFCs (Request for Comments), articles from the time period, and relevant historical archives.
- Connect each topic to related fields, such as computer science advancements, social and political changes, and economic impacts. Each connection would be clearly articulated.
- Include links to supplementary readings, interviews with key figures, and documentaries, broadening the learning experience beyond the course's core materials.
- Encourage students to research further using provided links and participate in discussions on online forums linked within the course materials.
In summary, while "Links style course" lacks a formal definition, it likely points to an online learning approach emphasizing the strategic use of hyperlinks to enrich the learning experience, promote deeper understanding, foster connectivity between concepts and resources, and create a more dynamic and engaging learning journey.
