Coursera stands for quality and standard in learning

Ivan Ivanov, Associate Professor of the Department of Condensed Matter Nanophysics at the Institute of High Technologies of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, has been studying on the Coursera platform for over five years. The teacher actively uses both Udemy and edX, but he likes Coursera the most. There are several reasons for this, one of which is that the platform offers courses from leading IT companies (Google, IBM, Microsoft). Ivan Ivanov already has 13 certificates from Coursera, and he tells us how he implements the courses in his discipline's curriculum in this text. 

What digital learning platforms do you use?

I have been using Coursera for quite a long time, more than five years. I also study on such platforms as Udemy and edX. I like Coursera the most because it has a user-friendly interface and free access to all courses for university teachers thanks to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Also, the certificates from this platform are of great value and are known all over the world. To date, I have received 13 of them. 

I teach at the Educational and Research Institute of High Technologies, as well as at the Faculty of Philosophy, the Faculty of Sociology, the Institute of Public Administration, and the Educational and Research Institute of Law. And accordingly, I use some elements of Coursera courses when teaching students: the knowledge gained from the courses I have taken, practical skills, and the use of methods recommended by course developers. 

What are the advantages of the Coursera platform?

The advantage of Coursera is that some courses are developed directly by the manufacturers of certain products. For example, these are Google, IBM, Microsoft, Autodesk, and other well-known IT giants that create training courses to introduce users to their products. And so, when you get a certificate, you have confirmation of your ability to work with this product.

Another advantage of the platform is the division of courses into the following levels: basic, intermediate, advanced (higher). This means that you can gradually improve your knowledge and practical skills learnt in a particular course or subject. 

The platform has a convenient function of downloading videos to a local computer or smartphone. This was especially necessary when there were problems with electricity in the country. Video lectures often have both subtitles and the full text of the lecture, auxiliary materials, and presentations.

How do you implement courses from the platform in your work with students? 

Every year, teachers update syllabi and programmes for their disciplines. This update is based on an analysis of the literature published in this area worldwide. It is also possible to meet with employers to find out what relevant knowledge and skills students need to have when they are employed. 

Another mechanism is to rely on international experience, as we can use Coursera to see what representatives of the academic community from other countries offer us. The teacher sees what technical means another teacher uses to convey his or her lectures to the student. 

Many courses have practical assignments. The platform itself offers knowledge assessment in the form of tests, and we teachers can learn from this experience, see how questions are formulated and answers are evaluated.  

What are the advantages of implementing courses into the curriculum?

Firstly, Coursera allows us to trace the latest trends in the development of a particular technology, field, for example, physics, information technology, humanities.

Secondly, we can see what tools/methods are used by teachers from different countries to convey this material to students. For example, in Ukraine, it is customary that in order to master a certain course, you must first have basic knowledge. But often teachers abroad teach their courses as self-contained modules. This means that the course also contains certain basic knowledge that the student may not even have yet, but they receive it very briefly and concisely in order to continue and master this course. For example, there is a course on solar energy, and a student may first attend two or three lectures on the basics of semiconductor physics.

What methodology do you use to introduce online courses to your discipline? 

I mostly give students self-study courses with the possibility of discussing what they have learned in class. Of course, these courses can relate to certain topics of lectures, or simply supplement the material, covering interdisciplinary aspects.

In my opinion, this independent work allows you to use external learning resources such as Coursera. It also gives the teacher the opportunity to test students' knowledge, for example, by compiling a list of questions on the course topic covered.  

Do students enjoy taking courses? How do they feel about it?

Yes, they really like taking courses, and especially getting certificates, because it allows them to certify their knowledge and professional skills in a certain way.

They can also use certificates to supplement their CVs. 

What advice can you give to your colleagues about learning on the Coursera online platform?

1. Use this service to improve your professional level. Before choosing a course, identify your main goals and interests. Review reviews, course descriptions and comments from other students to understand which course best suits your needs.

2. The platform allows you to get acquainted with new teaching methods and adds flexibility to the learning process. Coursera has an active community of course participants Join discussion forums, social media groups, and other resources where you can share ideas, ask questions, and get support from other students

4. Coursera shows you how to prepare your own practice exercises and interactive games with specific examples. Courses on Coursera provide supplemental materials such as additional lectures, articles, exercises, or recommended readings. Use these resources to deepen your understanding of the subject and expand your knowledge.

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