As learning opportunities continue to expand online, many professionals are choosing to enhance their careers by participating in massive open online courses (MOOCs). Although this rise of online education opportunities can expand the possibilities for continuing education and lifelong learning, few studies have examined the learner outcomes following the completion of online courses. For example, did participating in the course allow learners to advance in their job, acquire new skills, or allow them to apply for new jobs? This session will share the results of an evaluation performed to develop a deeper understanding of how participation in a course active since 2013, Instructional Methods in Health Professions Education, impacted learners. Using a mixed-methods approach, researchers evaluated the characteristics of learners in the course, the professional outcomes that learners achieved after taking the course, and the learning communities that may have developed from the course.



Innovation Insights
The Center for Academic Innovation brings together people who want to transform education, share knowledge, and increase learner success by hosting inspiring talks, collaborative problem-solving workshops, and discussions on the latest in educational research and practice. The Innovation Insights series features a diverse lineup of topics, delivered by leaders in academia and private industry, united by the common goals of delivering insights into how to further academic innovation and build the future of education.



About Caren Stalburg
Caren M Stalburg, MD MA, is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Learning Health Sciences at the University of Michigan Medical School. In addition to outpatient OB/GYN generalist care, she is actively involved in medical education innovation, health professions education research, and the development of faculty as educators. She currently serves as the Founding Director of the Health Infrastructures and Learning Systems Online Master of Science Degree, the first of its kind in the Medical and Rackham Graduate Schools at the University of Michigan. She also leads the Medical Education Scholars Program within Learning Health Sciences. Her Coursera course, Instructional Methods in Health Professions Education, has had over 15,000 learners, with over 3,000 completing the entire course.