1 . MOOCs, short for “massive open online courses”, mark an important, possibly revolutionary, development in education. These courses are on line, free of charge, and open to anyone in the world who has a laptop and an Internet connection. Moreover, they are mainly offered by great universities like Stanford, Berkeley, Harvard and Columbia.
The courses are arranged according to how difficult they are, enabling students to progress from beginners to the advanced. The courses cover not only a broad range of science subjects such as math and computer science, but also courses in social sciences and humanities. Though MOOCs are not offered for credit and degree, many students enroll (加入) in the courses for real skills or knowledge which they can put to some practical use.
The format (形式) seems better than the traditional school class. The average quality of the lecturers is much higher. Besides, students can learn back and forward—that is, they can go at their own learning speed, which they can’t do in a live lecture. And, more importantly, they don’t have to travel anywhere to attend an online lecture. There is a problem of asking questions of the lecturer in a class of ten thousand students, but some MOOCs have solved it by allowing students to post questions on line for a vote, and only the most popular questions are put to the lecturer.
In a knowledge age, lifelong learning is not confined to a traditional classroom. Students taking MOOCs are usually very clever, have work experience, and in many cases, have already developed a set of practical skills. Moreover, they also offer unique international perspectives (远景) that would be the envy of any school classroom.
1. Which of the following statements is NOT true about MOOCs?| A．The word “MOOCs” is short for “massive open online campuses”. |
| B．Anyone who has a computer and an Internet connection can take MOOCs. |
| C．MOOCs are usually offered by first-class universities in the world. |
| D．MOOCs may be a breakthrough in the development of education. |
| A．there is a problem of asking questions in traditional classes |
| B．students enrolling in MOOCs can get credit and degree easily |
| C．students can learn at their own study pace |
| D．students can travel to many places when taking MOOCs |
| A．extended | B．developed |
| C．limited | D．advanced |
| A．Ordinary | B．Creative |
| C．Practical | D．Competent |
2 . Taking online classes from far away
Faiqa, a 15-year-old freshman at a public high school, logs in to her all-remote classes each night from Pakistan in a time zone nine hours ahead. Max, who also attends school in the same state, has joined his Advanced Placement history class for about two months from Guayaquil, Ecuador.
It is unclear how widespread the practice is. But out-of-country logins have become increasingly common since late fall according to educators in the country.
Max says he is grateful that he is still able to log in to classes during the special period of time. “
| A．Missing school for a long time is really bad |
| B．Some families paid a visit to other countries |
| C．I’m desperate to get back to the online world |
| D．students take virtual classes from outside the state |
| E．over two-thirds of young students find it easier to learn lessons online |
| F．Max’s schoolmate, Naobe, participates in classes from northern Honduras |
| G．The officials say it is possible for students to log in from anywhere in the world |
3 . Face Painting Academy Diploma
Do you have a love for entertaining people? Are you artistic and want to impress people with a new skill?
If so, then with this course you could become a qualified face painter. For a one-off payment you can study on-line and complete the diploma in about 28 hours. With 14 modules to cover, you can become an accomplished face painter. Your qualification will be recognized and can be checked for validity by all of your future clients too!
Module 1 Your Introduction to Becoming a Face Painter
Module 2 The Equipment and Materials You Will Need for Face Painting
Module 3 Health 8. Safety and Risk Assessments
Module 4 Starting Your Own Business
Module 5 Pricing and Costs
Module 6 Marketing Your Business & Social Media
Module 7 The Do’s and Don’ts and What to Do If Your Business Doesn’t Go Well
Module 8 How to do a Dog/Cat Face Paint Design
Module 9 How to do a Butterfly/Dolphin Face Paint Design
Module 10 How to do a Monkey/Frog Face Paint Design
Module 11 How to do a Rabbit/Swan Face Paint Design
Module 12 How to do a Tiger/Dinosaur Face Paint Design
Module 13 How to do a Spiderman/Batman Face Paint Design
Module 14 How to do a Minnie Mouse/Princess Face Paint Design
Delivery method: Online
Study level: Professional development
Price: £299
Sign today: £99
1. What can be known about the course?| A．It requires people to pay in full. | B．It is presented both online and offline. |
| C．It offers free equipment and materials. | D．The diploma can be obtained in one month. |
| A．Module 4. | B．Module 5. | C．Module 6. | D．Module 7. |
| A．£99. | B．£l00. | C．£199. | D．£200. |
4 . With a wide variety of online courses available to adults, the following ones from famous institutions at home and abroad may be a choice.
The Path to Happiness What you’ll learn: ● Ancient Chinese philosophy and how to apply it to live a better life ● Tools for self-awareness and sensing the world around you ● The philosophical theories of Confucius, Mozi, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, and Han Feizi Length: 13 weeks Effort: 1 — 2 hours per week Institution: Harvard University Language: English Level: Introductory | Start Talking with 1.3 Billion People What you’ll learn: ● Mandarin (普通话) vocabulary used in daily life ● Highly practical expressions in given Mandarin contexts ● Listening skills in communicating with native speakers of Chinese ● Some basic and frequently used Chinese characters Length: 6 weeks Effort: 2 — 3 hours per week Institution: Tsinghua University Language: English Level: Introductory |
Hong Kong Cinema Through a Global Lens What you’ll learn: ● Develop your critical and historical thinking skills through analyzing the relationship between the global scene and local lives in Hong Kong films ● Deepen your understanding of the impact of globalization on your own society Length: 6 weeks Effort: 4 — 6 hours per week Institution: The University of Hong Kong Language: English Level: Introductory | Mandarin Chinese for Business What you’ll learn: ● Mandarin phrases and expressions for business negotiation ● Chinese business culture and etiquette (礼仪) ● Proper business Chinese for finding business partners, networking, signing contracts, and maintaining business relationships Length: 6 weeks Effort: 4 — 10 hours per week Institution: MandarinX Language: English Level: Intermediate (中级的) |
| A．The Path to Happiness. |
| B．Mandarin Chinese for Business. |
| C．Start Talking with 1.3 Billion People. |
| D．Hong Kong Cinema Through a Global Lens. |
| A．It is taught in Mandarin. |
| B．It is about language learning. |
| C．It is provided by a university. |
| D．It is unfit for Chinese beginners. |
| A．To introduce several online courses. |
| B．To present the benefits of online courses. |
| C．To stress the popularity of online courses. |
| D．To advertise some Chinese online courses. |
5 . Auckland University Online Education — What to Expect
Most Auckland University (AU) online programs are 100 percent online so that students do not come to the school campus. Instead, AU has designed a media - rich, easy - to - use learning environment through a Learning Management System (LMS).
● Discipline (纪律)
With disciplined work habits, you are likely to succeed as an online student. It is up to you to log on to your course and meet your own deadlines.
● Time Management
In order to earn competitive grades, plan on spending a minimum of 20 - 25 hours a week on each course. AU courses operate on a seven - week schedule, with start dates in January, March, May, July, September and November. Students are able to complete two courses per semester by taking one seven - week course at a time.
● Professional Connections
Many of the AU faculty (教员) who teach online have connections to industry, so the online learning environment ensures access to diverse expertise and practice. It includes an extensive network of professionals in a variety of industries.
“I work as an IT manager. And right from the very beginning, every class I took was relevant to what I was doing at work. The wide range of courses gave me a strong foundation for my career development.”
— Jim Heilman, Computer Information Systems graduate
● Technology
It goes without saying that technology plays a vital role in online learning. You will need a high - speed Internet connection and basic computer skills. For specifics, please click here to visit our Technology page.
1. How long does it take to complete one course?| A．Seven weeks. | B．One semester. |
| C．Several months. | D．At least 20 - 25 hours. |
| A．To recognize an excellent graduate. |
| B．To set a good example to other learners. |
| C．To prove benefits of professional connections. |
| D．To show effective methods of online learning. |
| A．A course brochure | B．A college website. |
| C．An academic magazine. | D．A science report. |
6 . Online learning is a term used to describe distance courses that are offered over the Internet. The courses cover a wide range of subjects and audiences. This educational method is growing in popularity as an economical method of providing access to education for a large population.
There are two types of online course access: open and restricted. Open access allows actually anyone with an Internet user to view the course material. This type of online learning does not require interaction with an instructor. The material covered can range from very specific instructions to university level courses. This initiative removes the barriers to advanced knowledge and allows anyone with the interest to learn. The other type of online courses are restricted access courses. Restricted access is used to limit the class to registered students. These courses offer instructor interaction and are typically the method used by courses that require grades upon graduation.
It is more efficient for both the educator and the student to access course materials online. From the educator aspect, the course lectures can be recorded once and reused. This greatly reduced the staff time and costs. Meanwhile, online courses allow students to complete coursework from a wide range of locations and remove the time restriction to access course lectures. Students are no longer required to travel to the class and many course materials are included in the fee. The material for online courses has been carefully reviewed and approved before the course is offered. Many introduction and courses do not change, as the material is fixed. As a result, the courses are stable and can be reused as needed.
Technology continues to expand to meet the needs of online students. These tools include mobile audio and video viewers, improved online interactive tests, and tool and course management software. The continued development in this area will further enhance the quality of online courses and encourage more people to further their education.
1. Why is online learning winning more recognition?| A．It is cost-effective. | B．It is free to access. |
| C．No teacher is required. | D．Education is getting more important. |
| A．Learners are required to register. | B．Learners can learn without evaluation. |
| C．It is intended for advanced learners only. | D．It has no interaction with an instructor. |
| A．The participants. | B．The time restrictions. |
| C．The advantages. | D．The ever-changing materials. |
| A．Challenging. | B．Critical. | C．Worrying. | D．Promising. |
7 . With the pandemic in full swing, most colleges and universities have transitioned almost all of their classes online. Some students prefer online classes. They love having the flexibility to work from home and to work in the hours they want to work.
Read the syllabus (大纲).
When you need to know something, do not blindly go through your online education portal clicking tabs or go ahead and email your professor. Wait until you have looked through the syllabus for your answers. The syllabus is supposed to be your guide for the entire semester.
Note the deadlines.
In an online class, it is incredibly easy to let deadlines creep upon you or even pass you by before you even know it. So make sure that you note the deadlines. However you need to do that or find doing that to be most effective, do it. Find writing things down in your planner most effective? Do it. Making reminders on your phone? Do it. Filling it out in your online calendar? Do it.
Ask questions.
While strategy number one told you that you should not immediately email your professor with a question, that was in regards to asking questions that could be answered by the syllabus.
| A．Online classes can be tough. |
| B．It is fun to attend online classes. |
| C．They think they can save much time and energy. |
| D．Other students really struggle with online classes. |
| E．It tells you what you are doing, when, why, and how. |
| F．You do not want to fail a class because you never turned anything in. |
| G．However, you shouldn’t be afraid to message your professor with thoughtful questions. |
8 . School is tough enough as it is, but distance learning presents a whole new challenge. Many students struggle to focus on their homework when they study at home, as online courses call for self-discipline (自律).
Motivate (激励) yourself. Think about how traditional classroom settings motivate students to get their work done: deadlines written on a whiteboard, friendly reminders and suggestions from teachers, and group study sessions with classmates.
Find a good study spot. Houses are full of distractions (分散注意力的事物)—especially if you’re in no mood to study. Set yourself up for success by reducing these distractions and creating an environment where it is easy to do schoolwork.
Use what you have. One of the many benefits of online learning is having endless Internet resources.
| A．Manage your time. |
| B．Be ready to ask all the questions. |
| C．A short break is also necessary for online learning. |
| D．You can also use these helpful methods in your own home. |
| E．Many of them might help you understand your studies easily. |
| F．Keep up with your online schoolwork with these tips for success. |
| G．If possible, find a quiet place away from your housemates, family members and TV. |
Exercise plays a very important role in a healthy lifestyle. But you may not have time or money to go to a gym on a regular basis. The good news is that today’s technology lets you access fitness classes from the comfort of your home.
A quick Internet search will turn up thousands of online fitness classes. These classes let you listen to instructions and watch trainers demonstrate how to do exercises. You can watch videos on your phone, computer or tablet and do the exercises right where you are. All you need is an Internet connection and a space large enough to move around in.
Online fitness classes take a wide variety of forms. Some focus on stretches and slow movements. Other classes involve fast aerobic activity, while others build muscle strength. Some require equipment such as weights, but others use only your body. This means that you can choose the class you like. And you can try a different one whenever you like.
Some virtual fitness classes require a membership fee, but some are completely free. Anyone can post a fitness video on the Internet. Not everyone knows what they are doing. So it is important to think about who is teaching the class. Try to find trainers who are certified by an organization with a good reputation.
I tried some virtual fitness classes several years ago. The reason was simple: convenience. I could do a fitness class at any time of day. I didn’t need to travel to a gym and back, which saved me a lot of time. But being able to work out any time meant I kept putting it off. I’d do everything else first and then the day would be over. I’d never actually get around to exercising. Having to exercise at a definite time means I have to put it on my schedule. So for me, scheduled classes such as those at a gym are helpful.
1. What do people need to have virtual fitness classes?2. What is the author’s suggestion about choosing an instructor while having virtual fitness classes?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
·The author thinks virtual fitness classes are of great convenience and save a lot of time, so he takes virtual fitness classes on a regular basis.
4. Do you think virtual fitness classes will become a trend for young people? Why or why not? (In about 40 words)
10 . You won't have any excuse to skip class anymore. French startup Open Classrooms is offering the first state-recognized bachelor degree in France that uses only MOOCs(massive open online courses). The startup partnered with IESA Multimedia to create this program.
There are three learning paths in engineering, design and marketing. Students will have to complete all the courses and required projects in order to get their degree.
On average, it will take a year of hard work in order to complete all the classes. As always, it's hard to keep going when you sign up for a MOOC.
This kind of degree has many key advantages. For IESA, it gives the school more students. IESA is a private school, and its end goal is to make as much money as possible. So with these new Mooc students, IESA will be able to get more money per teacher on average.
For students, it's a cheaper way to get a degree. Maybe you can't afford to study for three years at IESA and pay €6,950 per year.
It's an interesting new direction for Open Classrooms, and I can't wait to see whether other schools will start working with the startup to provide online courses. It will be interesting to see whether the first students are satisfied with this kind of degree as well.
| A．For OpenClassrooms, the company will certainly make profits as a technology provider. |
| B．And it can explain why more and more people tend to apply for online courses. |
| C．It's the exact same degree that you would get at IESA, except that you won't see any teachers. |
| D．That’s why every week, you will get to video chat with a teacher. |
| E．For Open Classrooms, the company will surely enjoy a reputation for its technology. |
| F．Open Classrooms lets you work and study at the same time, and pay a lot less. |
