Review from the second session of the MOOC "Spatial analysis beyond borders"

The second session of the MOOC "Spatial analysis beyond borders" began on February 3rd and was extended until April 19th 2020 because of the pandemic. It was a great success: more than 3100 participants were gathered. They came from several countries: mainly from France, one third were from several African countries, especially North Africa, but also Canada and Russia. Their profiles were varied: students, professionals willing to complete their formation and also people wanting to acquire new knowledge.

The MOOC's forum was very active during the course. The participants asked their questions regarding the lessons, but also their own territories. Nicolas Greiner, a LOTERR Phd student and a participant analyzed a Russian territory, formerly industrialized and its conversion strategy. They imagined a solution: the development of a vacation zone for the well-off people of the neighboring metropolises. Thanks to the MOOC, the participants have extended their knowledge, developed new thoughts on their territories and some received ideas were also debunked: for instance, a municipality such as La Roche-sur-Yon (France) cannot be considered a big city.

The MOOC has also been used as a pedagogic tool during the lockdown. The formation for the state-registered diploma for social workers in French Polynesia has suggested to its students following the MOOC in order to continue their learning despite the closing of their school.

Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, this MOOC is accessible in "open archive" mode, with no forum nor pedagogic team and no certificate of attendance or success will be delivered.

More Information here

Contact: Kheira Oudina (kheira.oudina@univ-lorraine.fr)