title: Creating a Global Community of Learners in Nursing and Beyond: Caring Science, Mindful Practice MOOC.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to examine the usefulness of a massive open online course (MOOC) on caring and mindfulness to a broad international audience that included nurses, allied health professionals, and others.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  MOOCs in higher education have been evident since 2008. Very few MOOCs on nursing topics have appeared since that time. Exploration was needed regarding how MOOCs could be employed to share nursing knowledge with national and international communities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two "Caring Science, Mindful Practice" MOOC sessions were examined. Demographics, learner satisfaction, course flow, and perceived usefulness of content were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Learners from varied backgrounds participated. Higher than expected course activity levels and completion rates suggested effective learner engagement. Excellent course ratings demonstrated that content and delivery methods were effective. Active learners communicated specific plans to apply new knowledge in the future.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MOOCs facilitate learning where participants learn about topics of interest in nursing and beyond.
authors.affiliation: About the Authors Kathleen L. Sitzman, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, is a professor, East Carolina University College of Nursing, Greenville, North Carolina. Andrea Jensen, MS, is director of eLearning, Center for Instructional and Institutional Effectiveness, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah. Sang Chan, PhD, is instructional designer, Center for Instructional and Institutional Effectiveness, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah.
authors.forename: Kathleen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Sitzman
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Sang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D020375:Education, Distance / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D064866:Mindfulness; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data