New open learning environments for second language acquisition. Are the MOOCs able to boost a methodological change?

Abstract

The new context in which education is framed is determined by the network society that is emerging as the implementation of new approaches directed towards training and knowledge are carried out through the internet, as a means for teaching and learning. Designing the educational contents and the structure of a course for learning from online teaching has led to explore new e-learning models, especially in university teaching. The great interest originated by the massive open online courses (MOOCs) has given rise to the development and improvement of the open platforms, presenting a formative scenario in which to define a teaching-learning method according to the current situation and with the needs of the society, capable of to solve the binomial technology-pedagogy. It is necessary to analyze the structure and design of these massive courses, open and online and define their curricular characteristics, those that have to do with the way of understanding teaching and learning. This paper proposes the analysis, design and implementation of a MOOC for the learning of Spanish as a foreign language with the aim of exploring the educational possibilities of new learning environments for language training and knowledge and to investigate if they are capable to generate a methodological change. This work aims to open new avenues of research and recognize new technological advances for the teaching of languages.