Conventional wisdom has it that most of an online course should be complete before it launches.

A more challenging approach for experienced faculty is to use an “emergent” curriculum. That is a course that evolves the curriculum—with or without student input—as the course evolves. This may apply to learning that is also emergent in the world, such as a new course about a cutting-edge technology or policy or phenomena…which is rare but does occur now and again.

Going Live Truly Live

It usually takes a level of expertise and daring to be comfortable with evolving a curriculum. It also often takes a fair amount of raw (and processed) digital resources to be able to teach a course on-the-fly.

Faculty who do emergent curriculums often have back-up curricula, too, and the support of an evolving range of presenters who are on the cutting edges of their fields.

A Rarity Still

While I know that there may be portions of a curriculum that are emergent, it’s not that common that people truly create emergent learning for the whole term.

This area offers promising ground for applied research. I’m curious to hear about any endeavors in this area that are happening out there.