Context & Objectives

MOOW CODE is a forward-looking and impact-oriented project that aims to develop and promote MOOW (Massive Open Online Week, pronounced as “move”), a multifaceted, synergistic format of digital learning and co-creation in higher education. The ambition of the project is to inaugurate a strong MOOW Movement in Europe by providing all required methods and tools for MOOW planning, organisation, and implementation. MOOW is a novel promising format and concept that builds on the strengths of traditional MOOCs, university Entrepreneurial Weeks and online idea-stage accelerators and bootcamps. Similar to a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), a MOOW is a virtual education program that promotes inclusive digital education. However, there are three main differences:

1.  MOOC learners are primarily studying alone, with written exchanges between learners usually being the only interaction format. In comparison, MOOW learners will be collaborating in highly interactive and product-oriented MOOW Bootcamps, resulting in enhanced learning and co-creation experiences.
2. MOOC learners study on their own time and at their own pace. Compared to this, MOOW participants will engage in a set timeframe (the “week”), and the pace is given through a guided bootcamp-like approach, resulting in higher participant engagement and ultimately a lower dropout rate.
3. MOOC participants often feel detached from the tangible outcomes of their learnings. By contrast, MOOW participants work collaboratively on implementable ideas and see them being forged into actionable solutions and products. MOOW CODE is an acronym that effectively creates a connection to MOOCs (but still differentiates from them) in order to highlight the new digital education model.

The project will also address key EU priorities in innovative higher education. EU Digital Education Plan 2021-27 commands that digital education capabilities and digital competencies should be at the core of educational policies and strategies, while the Digital Europe Programme (2021-2027) specifically recognises

1.  the need to support the upskilling of the existing workforce through short training reflecting the latest developments in key capacity areas and
2. the need to ensure a wide use in digital technologies across the economy and society. Furthermore, the Renewed EU Agenda for Higher Education (2017) sets as a key priority tackling skill mismatches and promoting skills development, and especially in digital readiness of university staff and students, supported by technology-based solutions and open education initiatives.