Automating a Massive Open Online Course’s Production

This column details the innovative automation of a massive open online course’s production process, blending software engineering practices with educational content creation. It describes the challenges and solutions in producing a Unix command-line tools course, including scripting for teleprompter-assisted presentations and custom tools for video creation. The automation both enhanced the quality and organization of the materials and also transformed the author’s experience from repetitive tasks to the engaging process of coding. The approach, adaptable to various contexts, exemplifies a shift towards efficiency and quality in educational content development.