Micro-MOOC Details

The micro-MOOC I am creating will be based on the personal finance book Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez.  It may sound hokey, but this book set myself and my husband on a financial track ten years ago that has allowed us to achieve immense financial goals (paying off $60,000 student loan debt, paying off our house) while still living a lifestyle we enjoy that is (for the most part) in line with our values...and all that on two decent but regular salaries (no publishers clearing house or inheritances here).  To be fair though, we had been looking to move for some time and have now regained a mortgage as we struggle with the mammoth undertaking of a fixer-upper.

The book has a very straightforward format, which has also been supplemented to accompany small, in person groups.  The challenge of my micro-MOOC will be taking this format and harnessing the tools technology has to offer, while still staying true to the curriculum and provide a cohesive learning environment for learners.  Since my MOOC is not a clear skill to be learned, or a credential one can put on a resume, I envision much exploration and not necessarily an orderly or timely progression through the material.  The book set up in a series of steps which I plan to keep as the backbone of the course.  There are exercises in each step to be completed away from the course.  In addition I plan to have step by step tutorial videos to help learners complete each step.  I am also exploring collaborative elements where learners can communicate and bond with each other as they work through the program.

Below is my mind map of the first step in depth, along with steps two through four at a high level: