Designing Learner-Centric MOOCs | Expert Guide by IIT Professors
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 260 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Categories | Multidisciplinary, Faculty Domain - Advanced |
| Credit Points | 2 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 28 Mar 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Designing Learner-Centric MOOCs: Moving Beyond Technology to Foster Real Learning
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have revolutionized access to education, offering millions of learners worldwide the chance to upgrade their skills and knowledge. However, creating a successful MOOC that truly engages and educates a diverse, global audience requires more than just recording lectures and uploading them online. The key lies in shifting from an instructor-focused approach to a learner-centric design.
This is the core philosophy behind the Learner-Centric MOOC (LCM) model, a framework developed by experts at IIT Bombay and IIT Madras. In this detailed guide, we explore the principles of LCM and introduce a comprehensive course designed to empower educators and course creators.
Why Learner-Centric Design is Non-Negotiable for Modern MOOCs
Many instructors new to the online space fall into the trap of focusing primarily on technology—using video, forums, and quizzes to simply replicate their classroom actions. While understanding platform features is necessary, it's not sufficient. The real challenge—and opportunity—lies in the pedagogical design of how to use these features to actively foster student engagement, critical thinking, and lasting learning outcomes.
Without a deliberate design framework, MOOCs risk becoming passive content repositories, leading to the high dropout rates often associated with these courses. The LCM model provides the essential principles and guidelines to create dynamic, interactive, and effective learning experiences at scale.
Meet Your Instructors: Pioneers in Educational Technology and Design
This course is taught by a distinguished team of professors who have not only researched but also successfully implemented the LCM model in real-world settings.
- Prof. Sameer Sahasrabudhe (IIT Gandhinagar): A Professor of Practice in Design with over 25 years of experience in advertising, animation, and educational multimedia. He has directly contributed to developing the LCM and created popular MOOCs on IITBombayX and edX, with one course on 3D visualization shortlisted for the prestigious edX Prize 2019.
- Prof. Sahana Murthy (IIT Bombay): A professor in Educational Technology, her research focuses on developing problem-solving and design thinking skills through technology. She is a key architect of the LCM model, which has formed the basis for numerous courses on NPTEL and IITBombayX.
- Prof. Jayakrishnan M (IIT Madras / NPTEL): A Senior Scientist at NPTEL, his PhD research focused on large-scale teacher training in technology integration. He brings deep expertise in scaling effective educational practices and sustaining professional development.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn in 8 Weeks
This postgraduate-level course is structured to take you from the foundational concepts of the LCM model to its practical application. Here’s a week-by-week breakdown:
| Week | Module Title | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Overview & Introduction | Understanding the need for learner-centric design; Introduction to the LCM framework. |
| Week 2 | Learning Dialogues (LeD) | Designing instructor-learner & peer-to-peer conversations that build understanding. |
| Week 3 | Learning by Doing (LbD) | Creating authentic activities, simulations, and problems that apply knowledge. |
| Week 4 | Learning Extension Trajectories (LxT) | Providing pathways for learners with different goals and prior knowledge. |
| Week 5 | Reflection Week | Consolidating learning from the first four weeks; applying concepts to your context. |
| Week 6 | Learning Experience Interactions (LxI) | Designing the overall flow and sequence of learning components for maximum engagement. |
| Week 7 | Orchestration Dynamic of MOOCs | Managing and facilitating large-scale learner interactions and course logistics. |
| Week 8 | Summary & Case Studies | Reviewing the complete LCM model; analyzing real-world case studies of successful MOOCs. |
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is meticulously designed for a specific audience poised to create high-impact online learning:
- Teachers & University Faculty: Educators looking to transition their expertise into effective online formats for platforms like SWAYAM, NPTEL, or global edX.
- MOOC Creators & Instructional Designers: Professionals tasked with building engaging online courses for educational institutions or organizations.
- Industry L&D & Training Divisions: Corporate training professionals across sectors seeking evidence-based methods to design effective employee upskilling programs.
Essential Reading and Resources
The course is grounded in robust research. Key foundational texts include:
- Murthy, S. et al. (2018): "LCM: A model for planning, designing and conducting Learner-Centric MOOCs." The seminal paper outlining the model.
- Hew, K.F. (2016): "Promoting engagement in online courses." A comprehensive review of engagement strategies in British Journal of Educational Technology.
- Bali, M. (2014): "MOOC Pedagogy: Gleaning good practice from existing MOOCs." An analysis of pedagogical practices from early MOOCs.
Transform Your Approach to Online Education
Designing a MOOC is an exercise in empathy and structure. It requires understanding the isolated, often asynchronous learner's journey and building a supportive, interactive architecture around them. The Learner-Centric MOOC model provides that blueprint.
By the end of this 8-week journey with leading experts from IIT, you will move beyond simply using technology to truly harnessing it for pedagogy. You will gain a actionable framework to design MOOCs that are not just massive and open, but meaningfully engaging and effective—ensuring your learners don't just enroll, but they persist, participate, and achieve their learning goals.
Enroll Now →