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5th MOOC “English for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Spring 2022”

 First MOOC in 2022!!!

Successfully completed a Massive Open Online Course “English for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Spring 2022”. This course was developed by the University of Pennsylvania and adapted by FHI 360 for the Online Professional English Network (OPEN), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. This Course is available on the Canva platform.


Recently, I went for an interview for a degree in engineering college. Being a teacher of English Literature, I did face a few difficulties. That is when I decided to go for this course. Of course, while teaching English Language Teaching as a subject, had gone through the topics like ESP (English for Specific Purpose). We as teachers must update ourselves with the topics we might teach shortly that are not related to literature. This awareness is important that there is different English for different purposes.


This course was designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in improving their English skills in the sciences. This course explores some of the most innovative areas of scientific study while expanding our vocabulary and language skills.

The Courses are divided into 5 Modules as follows:

Module 1 - Is the Earth getting Warmer?

The first module investigated this question by observing a global warming experiment. After looking at the data from the experiment, we make an educated guess about why the world is getting warmer and develop a definition for the term climate change. We also learn how to preview texts and practice some of the language used to make comparisons when talking about global warming and climate change.

Module 2 - The Greenhouse Effect

 The Second Module examined the chemistry of climate change. Through readings and videos, we explore how different chemicals and gases affect the environment. Focuses on the greenhouse effect. Also focuses on two language areas: the present progressive tense and the language of cause and effect. 

Module 3 - The Impacts of Climate Change on our World

Scientists are observing changes in sea levels, rain patterns, and polar ice caps. In this module, we learned about some of these changes and think about how they affect the biology of people, animals, and different environments called ecosystems. Also, learned how to read for details and use strong adjectives when describing new things.

 

Module 4: Discovering Cleaner Energy Sources to Power the World

More and more governments and corporations are funding engineers to create and build new energy systems that can limit the effects of climate change. Many of these energy systems come from renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar (sun), and hydroelectric (water) power. In this module, we explored the science behind clean energy systems. Also learned how to summarize the main ideas of readings and how to use modal verbs to make a suggestion.



Module 5 - What Future might hold?

In this module, we investigated practical advances in nanotechnology that help slow down climate change. An example of this is turning light into heat. Also, learn how the scientific community works together to create new discoveries through expert interviews and readings. Lastly, we developed our own research skills by learning how to choose good sources and cite them in research.




What did I learn?

  • Become familiar with the greenhouse effect.

  • Be able to identify several causes of climate change.

  • Use the present progressive.

  • Understand the language of cause and effect

  • Learn about the effects of warmer temperatures on the environment

  • Identify the impact of climate change on people, animals, and ecosystems

  • Use intensifiers appropriately

  • Investigate different types of renewable energy and how they work

  • Summarize the main ideas of a text

  • Use modal verbs to make a suggestion

  • Demonstrate understanding of potential uses of nanotechnology

  • Choose good sources for research

  • Understand the importance of citing sources in your own research

  • Use future possibility and probability models.

  • Use comparative adjectives in writing

  • Develop a definition for the term climate change.

  • Define and accurately use content-related vocabulary in course activities and games.

 

Advantages:-

  • It is a Self-Paced course. So we can learn at our time, our pace.

  • There were no fixed hours. So we can study for as many hours as we want.

  • The material can be accessed at any time and at any place.

  • We don't need a proper classroom to do this course. It can be done through mobile as well and from any place.

  • We can be better learners.

  • The language of the course was quite simple.

  • All the terms were well explained with the help of flashcards and pictures.

 

 

Disadvantages:-

  • The important aspects such as online discussion, peer review, and some quizzes were not graded. They were optional. Many learners might skip it.

 


 

Overall it was an amazing course to take. You will get many new things to learn. Also, you will only earn your badge and certificate if you score more than 70% in the graded assignments. So I would recommend it to all the English Teachers out there to go for it.


Happy Learning!!!

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