MOOC: Get hooked on MOOCs and see a big difference to your learning journey

Moocing has been in vogue ever since the internet became a great avenue for learning, relearning and unlearning, caused by bad teaching and the like, due to indoctrination of some, rudeness of a few and myriad propaganda. out of selfish interest.

Today, we are lucky to have another moocer, and also a camp leader, to share with us his experiences when he was captivated by the mooc virus, and now he is hooked on mooc!

1. Introduce yourself, Bryant.

I am Bryant Bennet Dialogo Atencia, 30 years old, Bachelor of Secondary Education with a Mention in English at the Colegio De San Juan De Letrán on June 11, 2019.

I am also an ESL teacher at 51talk for 2 years, and I teach different types of English, including English for beginners, basic grammar, English for travelers and business purposes for children from 6 to 60 years old.

I have also been in the BPO industry for 8 years managing various accounts. The last one was with Australia’s main telecommunications company, Telstra. I am a Customer First Champion serving your immediate needs.

I am an ultramarathoner during the weekends, running different paths here in Laguna, Quezon and Batangas for almost 5 years. The reason I’m a running enthusiast is because of the health benefits it brings me and the camaraderie of the running community. I have been part of various ultra marathon events like Laguna to Rizal, Laguna to Quezon, Rizal to Laguna to Quezon and other events.

2. How did you come to MOOC? Who introduced you to mooing?

I became interested in the world of MOOCs when my former teacher, Ms. Glen Cortezano, posted the details on FACEBOOK last February. She mentioned that there is a free international certificate to take courses that would improve our skills as educators, so I immediately messaged her and asked for the details.

3. What was your first MOOC? What was your impression then?

My first MOOC was English for Media Literacy, where I took it as an LSPU LB under the supervision of Ms Glen. I was amazed by the course itself and immediately fell in love with it, so I gave my 101% to take that course, attended meetings even on weekends, and participated in the outreach program as one of the speakers.

4. Is this how you got hooked?

After that, I asked Ms. Glen if I too could be a leader because I felt called once again, to share the beauty of education, not only with my co-educators, but also with those who wanted to enrich their mind of learning, and then she immediately said YES, I am capable, so I took that opportunity and started my own MOOC CAMP Sta.Rosa.

5. How did the mooc virus spread from your camp to the teachers in Sta. Rosa and nearby areas?

I enjoyed giving the successive courses to the teachers at Sta. Rosa, both in public and in private. We have had interesting meetings where they shared their experiences and thoughts about the courses. Most of them felt enlightened by the results that the courses have to offer and said that the MOOC courses ignited their teaching spirit once again.

6. Wow, good feedback from moocers! They seemed to enjoy learning by mooing.

So far, I am chasing every teacher I know as well as my colleagues to take MOOCs as it gave me a lot. I am a type of person who wants to share the good things that God offers us.

7. As the camp leader, what are the great things you’ve been receiving?

Through the MOOC Leaders Group, I was able to attend prestigious events and presentations like ResCon 2019 in De La Salle Manila. MOOC illuminated my educational side and continues to do so since it does not stop teaching us.

8. What are the qualities one must have to become an effective and efficient mooc camp leader?

Patience, sir. Without this, a CAMP would not be a camp. In my experience as an ESL teacher for 2 years, this is the most important trait for me because if you have this, everything will follow. Most teachers will give you excuses when, in fact, you have taught them that the MOOC is not a BIG TASK given to them, but rather a calling. If I have not practiced these PATIENCE skills before, I could not be successful in my career as an educator.

9. What challenges have you encountered with moocers?

There was once, sir, in the last course that we just finished. Most of the teachers made many excuses for the meeting and the task they were given. I’m still a leader for them and gave them all the time and effort to finish the course, but when the person doesn’t help themselves, other people’s efforts won’t work. If we have faced those challenges, I still offer them the last MOOC course because I wanted them to learn what I am learning, enjoy what I am enjoying because this is free and both ends will benefit, they and their learners.

10. Since moocing helped you be more productive and all, what can you do in return, as a token of…or what…of gratitude?

MOOC welcomed me with open arms, and in return, I will spread it to everyone so they can see the beauty of learning at their own comfort. MOOC for me is a complement in which it improves me as a person, as an educator and as a Filipino citizen. Let’s take advantage of the opportunity to have a free course that will help us to be world class educators that will produce first class students. “Salamat in MOOC and nakita ko ang ng edukasyon muli!”

wow! With that, I’m sure many teachers and non-teachers would try Massive Open Online Courses, and be blessed too!

Bryant Bennet D. Atencia, is a graduate of the Bachelor of Secondary Education Mention in English at the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán Calamba. He is following Certificate courses sponsored by the United States Department of State. Since 2017, he has been affiliated with 51talk English International Limited as Senior Teacher B, where he managed the teaching of English as a Secondary Language for Chinese students aged 6-60. He serves as the leader of the Massive Open Online Course for Camp St. Rosa under the Regional English Language Office-Manila. He is an enthusiastic ultra-marathon runner with a passion for teaching from the city of Calamba, Laguna..