McMaster has launched an online course Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential on Coursera, the world’s largest open online education provider.

Mindshift is taught by Barbara Oakley, the Ramón y Cajal Distinguished Scholar of Global Digital Learning, McMaster University and Terrence Sejnowski, the Francis Crick Professor at the Salk Institute.

Oakley says, “We sometimes put ourselves into a box regarding what we can and can’t do, and it makes us afraid to change.  Mindshift helps people to open their mind about their real capabilities, which are much bigger than they might think. We show people how to leverage the results of science to learn, grow, and change. Plus, hey, Mindshift’s a fun course!”

With McMaster University’s unusual, eye-catching video production techniques, academia meets Silicon Valley meets Hollywood. Learning about learning—perhaps the most important skill to have in today’s job market—becomes fun!

Barbara has inspired several professors from across the university to work with The MacPherson Institute to produce world class moocs this year that are likely to attract massive audiences” says Arshad Ahmad, AVP Teaching and Learning.

Those already involved in designing moocs on topics related to societal health and well being include  Felicia Vulcu (Biochemistry), Darren Bridgewater and Kjetil Ask (Demystifying Medicine), Stuart Philips (Kinesiology), Chris Longo (Health Economics), among others.