By Michael Amigot / IBL
The CRIME101x online course, developed by the University of Queensland (UQx) on edX.org, has attracted almost 40,000 students from around the world and is now winning an international award, UQ News reported.
This MOOC, which teaches the psychology of criminal justice, uses an innovative mix of drama and interactive learning to identify some of the myths of the system as well as ways to improve.
CRIME101x has been selected for a MERLOT Classic award at the Innovate Conference in New Orleans. MERLOT’s Editorial Board described the course as “creative and contemporary”. “It offers a thoroughly modern and engaging way for students to learn about the psychology of criminal justice,” said.
- “A series of eight professionally produced and presented crime drama videos are used, though any episode within the series can stand in its own right and be applied as an instructional supplement in a range of psychology courses.”
- “Each episode is associated with specific psychology concepts (e.g., memory reliability, bias) and is tied together with supplemental instructional videos in which the faculty members explore the relevant psychological literature as well as implications for application.”
UQx Director John Zornig accepted the award on behalf of Associate Professors McKimmie, Masser and Horswill.
- “The award is a testament to the course team’s ability to produce effective, creative and engaging online learning material that genuinely impacts upon student learning”
- “Instead of merely presenting information or theories, they created a scripted crime drama along with instructional videos and learning activities.
- “The award is also an acknowledgement of UQ’s decision to use a Creative Commons license, enabling educators to use Crime101x, and other UQx courses, as resources to enhance teaching worldwide.”
