Massive Online Open Courses for advancing the implementation of the NUA

This training event uses an innovative method that is based on the emerging concept of blending online education, through Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs), with conventional face to face learning activities. World's leading institutions and universities are rapidly integrating e-classrooms in their curricula. During this training event we will share some of the state of the art concepts and solutions on 'urban climate change planning' and 'financing local governments' included in the MOOCs that have been recently developed by the UCLG Africa through its Academy (ALGA) in collaboration with the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS). Both the topics touch upon imperative conditions that are needed for enabling local governments in implementing the new urban agenda for sustainable development.

The participants will have the opportunity in real time to follow online modules, which will consist of video lectures, pop up quizzes, self assessments and discussion board interactions on the Coursera online platform.

Part 1: Introduction to the training event and background on MOOCs. Presentation of the first outcomes of the two MOOCs developed by UCLG Africa/ALGA and IHS. Instructors of the MOOCs will present the main components and features of the courses, learners will present their experience on completing the MOOCs and Local Government representatives will address the importance of MOOCs as a capacity building tool for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and achievement of SDGs.

Part 2: A 'speed online class', which consists of an interactive individual familiarization of all participants with the MOOC on the Coursera online platform by using their laptops and smartphones and a 'speed online class' where participants will choose to go through one of the modules of the 'Planning for Climate Change for African Cities' MOOC developed by UCLG Africa / ALGA and IHS.

Part 3: Discussion and concluding remarks