Effectiveness of MOOC to generate awareness about Indian Knowledge Systems

Abstract: Indian Knowledge System represents a huge body of Indigenous knowledge which has been developed over decades. IKS offers a holistic perspective on life, nature and human development. IKS has evolved over thousands of years encompassing various disciplines like science, medicine, arts, linguistics etc. It is necessary for IKS to be integrated into our educational endeavours. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) can be explored for disseminating IKS to people around the world. This study explores the effectiveness of MOOC in creating awareness of Indian Knowledge System by evaluating individuals through their engagement and learning outcomes. The MOOC was planned with structured four modules which covered areas like introduction to IKS, Indian Languages and Literature, Art and Architecture, and science and technology of India. Each module incorporated content in the form of videos, articles, discussion boards and quizzes to enhance learners' participation. In this study the researcher collected data through pre and post-tests in the form of quizzes. An opinionnaire on the effectiveness of MOOC in inculcating awareness about Indian Knowledge System was administered. The study shows that well-structured MOOCs can effectively be used to create awareness about IKS.