Factors influencing the pursuit of personal learning goals in MOOCs

MOOCs are promising opportunities for lifelong learning, but as promising as these learning opportunities seem, many learners do not succeed in pursuing their personal learning goals. Barriers to learning are the main reason for not finishing the intended (parts of the) MOOCs. This study addressed the question whether the factors age, gender, educational level, and online learning experience affect barriers faced while learning in MOOCs. The results show that it is challenging to combine work and family life with lifelong (online) learning activities, especially for learners in their early adulthood and mid-life. However, more experience with online learning positively affects individuals’ ability to cope with these challenges. Also, learners with a lower educational level may experience a lack of knowledge or difficulties with the course content. These findings may serve as input to inform potentially vulnerable learners about these issues and support them in successfully achieving their personal learning goals.     

Massive Open Online Change? Exploring the Discursive Construction of the ‘MOOC’ in Newspapers

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have been a prominent topic of recent educational discussion and debate. MOOCs are, in essence, university‐affiliated courses offered to large groups of online learners for little or no cost and are seen by many as a bellwether for change and reform across higher education systems. This study uses content and discourse analysis methods to examine how understandings of MOOC‐related ‘change’ were presented in US, UK and Australian newspapers. Drawing on detailed analysis of 457 newspaper articles published between 2011 and 2013, the findings point to a predominant portrayal of MOOCs in relation to the massification, marketization and monetization of higher education, rather than engaging in debate of either ‘technological’ or ‘educational’ issues such as online learning and pedagogy, instructional design or student experience. The article then considers the reasons underpinning this restricted framing of what many commentators have touted as a radical educational form—not least the apparently close association between MOOCs and the economics of higher education.     

The MOOC and the Multitude

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) take university lectures and other educational materials and make them available for free as online “courses.” Liberal and neoliberal MOOC supporters laud these courses for opening up education to the world while incorporating market dynamics to improve quality and drive down costs. Skeptics claim MOOCs are a bald attempt to privatize higher learning, thus creating an apartheid educational system with traditional universities serving the wealthy while everyone else is left with cut‐rate online learning. This essay draws on the political theory of autonomist Marxism, arguing that MOOCs are capital's defensive reaction to the threats of resistant universities on one side, and unmanageable Internet‐based learning on the other. It then looks at which MOOC designs would support education for the “multitude,” which is the term used by autonomist Marxism to describe an autonomous, diverse, networked political body.     

Videos as learning objects in MOOCs: A study of specialist and non-specialist participants' video activity in MOOCs

Despite the emergence of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and the field of MOOC research, we have a limited understanding of the specific needs of different learner groups and how MOOCs can successfully address those needs. Video lectures and demonstrations are a central learning component of MOOCs. This paper contributes to the research community by examining the use of MOOC videos for two groups of learners. In particular, we explore whether there is an observable difference between specialists' and non-specialists' video-watching activity. We analyse data collected from three MOOCs on the edX platform. Our findings indicate that while age and educational background impacts the level of video activity, there is no significant difference between specialists and non-specialists. We conclude that the MOOC format may be suited to non-specialist groups, allowing them to self-direct their learning and utilise videos as educational resources.     

MOOCs与远程教育运行机制的比较研究

随着MOOCs（大规模开放在线课程）的兴起,各界对其与远程教育的关注逐渐升温。从在线教育运行机制的角度．对MOOCs和现有远程教育运行机制进行对比分析：首先选用比较分析研究法,提出对比指标项的选择依据．选取MOOCs的三个典型机构——Coursera、edx和Udacity以及远程教育的代表机构——英国开放大学和中国国家开放大学作为比较对象。其次从总体规划设计、教学环境、资源建设、师资发展、支持服务、教育管理与质量保证、成本效益和盈利模式、社会认可等八个方面,逐一比较MOOCs与现有的远程教育运行机制。结果表明,MOOCs在运行机制方面的探索将给远程教育的发展以新的启示．体现在MOOCs借助“名校、名师、名课”效应,增加课程的影响力;采用“高校加盟、统一平台、统一制作”的协同运作方式;运行主体由传统的教育机构转变为公司等。另一方面。MOOCs仅以名校声誉作为质量保障的基础。缺乏有效的学习支持服务,也不具备系统、完整的教学管理体系。所以,更为成熟的远程教育则能够为MOOCs的进一步发展提供丰富的经验。     

基于SPOCs模式的“UML建模工具”课程改革

SPOCs即小规模限制性在线课程,相对于MOOCs说,学生规模小,并且设定了学生的准入条件。更有针对性的教学设计使得SPOCs更有助于提高大学自身的教学质量,而且因其建设成本较低,也更容易开展。在实践中,可以先建设SPOCs,待课程材料和教学组织更为成熟时,再将其发展为MOOCs。"UML建模工具"是软件工程专业的一门专业必修课程,也是理论和实践并重的课程,传授式的教学方式学习效果相对较差,因此借鉴SPOCs的模式进行课程改革,以提高学生的学习兴趣和学习效果。     

Between kudzu and killer apps: Finding human ground between the monoculture of MOOCs and online mechanisms for learning

Although MOOCs have not lived up to previously breathless predictions of disruption, they have had an outsized influence on university administrators who see online learning as a “savior solution” for ever-shrinking budgets. Despite lower student persistent rates, faculty skepticism, and burdensome faculty workloads, the general public and administrative embrace of online learning has been enthusiastic, which may be explained in part using Foucault’s concept of the episteme to view the convergence of the parallel tracks of educational and technological development--the idea of a kind of mechanism for learning. While MOOCs once promised “best professors,” other institutions now promise the “best designed” mechanisms for learning, certified through corporatized quality assurance programs and learning management systems. While this may be appropriate for shopping educational products in a neoliberal marketplace, it seldom addresses human needs. Moreover, the temporal and human constraints that online promises to banish, in fact, continue to exist. Therefore, a more realistic examination of psychological and social factors, pedagogical tools, and the nature of online communication, is needed in order to create a more humane way of teaching, and learning.     

Designing for impact: a conceptual framework for learning analytics as self-assessment tools

Abstract

Although it is frequently claimed that learning analytics can improve self-evaluation and self-regulated learning by students, most learning analytics tools appear to have been developed as a response to existing data rather than with a clear pedagogical model. As a result there is little evidence of impact on learning. Even fewer learning analytics tools seem to be informed by an understanding of the social context and social practices within which they would be used. As a result, there is very little evidence that learning analytics tools are actually impacting on practice. This paper draws on research in self-regulated learning and in the social practices of learning and assessment to clarify a series of design issues which should be considered by those seeking to develop learning analytics tools which are intended to improve student self-evaluation and self-regulation. It presents a case study of how these design issues influenced the development of a particular tool: the Learning Companion.     

Implications of massive open online courses for higher education: mitigating or reifying educational inequities?

The proliferation of massive open online courses (MOOCs) has stirred a fervent debate about global access to higher education. While some commentators praise MOOCs for expanding educational opportunities in a more open and accessible fashion, others criticize this trend as a threat to current models of higher education and a low-quality substitute for traditional learning. Drawing on a comprehensive literature review of both academic and popular media sources, this article will explore the impact of MOOCs on the field of higher education, with a particular emphasis on their promise to enhance educational opportunities worldwide. Specifically, the analysis will focus on the four issues that have – so far – proven to be most significant in shaping the future of MOOC as an equalizing force in higher education: credit, pedagogy, internationalization, and, finally, legal and financial aspects.     

Older adults’ learning motivations in massive open online courses

With the popularization of massive open online courses (MOOCs) in the e-learning landscape, more and more older adults are participating in MOOC learning activities. Understanding older adults’ learning motivations in MOOCs will help MOOC developers design suitable learning systems and appropriate course content for older learners. Using a content analysis method, this study identifies six types of learning motivations of older adults in MOOCs: solving problems, acquiring knowledge, improving cognition, seeking fun, benefiting others, and social contact, among which improving cognition is unique to older adults. Based on the above classification, we found that the learning motivations among older adults vary with age and gender. The findings enrich the theories of education for older adults and of learning motivation, and can be used to improve the design of MOOCs for older adults.     

Competences,Learning Theories and MOOCs: Recent Developments in Lifelong Learning

Our societies have come to be known as knowledge societies in which lifelong learning is becoming increasingly important. In this context, competences have become a much discussed topic. Many documents were published by international organisations (UNESCO, World Bank, European Commission) which enumerated 21^st century key competences. The field of learning theories has also experienced advances. Findings from neuroscience have promoted a new understanding of what really happens in the brain when we learn. At the same time, the fact that learning increasingly takes place in virtual communities led George Siemens (2004) to propose connectivism as a learning theory for the digital age. Similarly, Roberto Carneiro (2010) suggested a theory he called generativism which aims at describing collaborative learning with digital technologies and open educational resources. These theories might be better able to describe and explain lifelong learning than classical learning theories. In the field of digital technologies, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have recently received a great deal of attention. While Siemens suggested connectivist MOOCs (cMOOCs) as the ideal platform for connectivist learning, other forms of MOOCs were also developed. These MOOCs have spread at a breath-taking pace in the last few years, although it is far from clear to what extent they are based on principles from learning theories and really support learning. These developments will be presented and discussed with respect to their relevance for lifelong learning as an integral part of man's quest for meaning.     

Programming MOOCs – different learners and different motivation

ABSTRACT

MOOCs for learning the basics of programming have become popular among people with a diverse range of backgrounds, interests and learning contexts. Studies show that learners who enrol in MOOCs tend to have different motivation from learners in traditional courses, but it is not known how motivation differs for people with different backgrounds. This study aims to describe how the motivational factors behind enrolment in programming MOOCs relate to learners’ characteristics. The data were gathered in the spring of 2017 with a motivation scale (FIEM) from 1,536 participants of the MOOC ‘About Programming’. Using comparative analysis, differences in motivational factors between groups by gender, employment status and previous experiences in programming were found. Correlational analysis revealed that educational level, age and self-evaluated probability of completing the MOOC were also related to motivational factors. Different people are motivated by different factors, indicating that this knowledge could be used to design interesting and motivating programming MOOCs, which are relevant to learners with various backgrounds.     

How MOOCs can empower learners: a comparison of provider goals and user experiences

The collective aims of the three biggest providers of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are to promote anywhere, anytime learning; to increase access to world-class higher education; and to connect and empower learners. Through analysis of focus group discussions between MOOC participants at the Australian National University, this study shows that MOOCs do appear to empower some users, but perhaps not in the ways – or for the people – that providers had expected. Rather than simply producing a new means for disadvantaged groups to access higher education – which can, in turn, empower them to have more opportunities in social, political and economic avenues of life – even people who are already enrolled at university can be empowered, psychologically, by MOOCs to feel confident in their abilities and to try learning new things without fear of failure. The types of people most likely to be psychologically empowered by MOOCs are those who are intrinsically motivated to learn for learning’s sake and who are anxious about the prospect of failure with regards to academic credit and course fees. Conversely, those who are more driven by extrinsic rewards may be more suited to a formally-graded learning environment, where fear of failure and financial investment in learning are regarded as motivating rather than de-motivating forces. These findings suggest that, while they may not have the same impact on all participants, MOOCs can still be a beneficial education resource with an ability to empower even already well-educated members of society.     

探索MOOCs与现实课堂结合的教学模式——系统科学与圣塔菲网络课程的个案研究

从世界前沿的发展来看,MOOCs有三个值得关注的趋势：即把线上线下（020）的课程创新与体验有机结合起来;研究学科的特点和差异;注重方法的探索及方法论的创新。如何将三者有效整合,是当前推动MOOCs研究与实践深化发展所面临的一个重要课题。基于此．特意把圣塔菲研究所开设的两门MOOCs课程作为个案进行研究,基于跨学科的方法论视角、以师生对话的形式,展现了在网络课程新时空中教师和学生各自的体验、不同背景学习者之间的优势互补,揭示了信息时代建立教学相长、能者为师之新型师生关系和跨学科师生团队的重要性。特别是复杂性研究中所使用的建模工具NetLogo,此类“新工具”在网络课程新时空中开展跨学科研究和研究性学习的独特作用。Moocs是一个复杂的社会系统工程,复杂性研究、尤其是自组织理论等新思维及其方法论在MooCs研究乃至教育理论与实践创新发展中的价值和意义日益凸显,若以此指导MooCs与现实课堂的双向互动、协同创新,对实现教育信息化进程中的“深度融合”具有重要意义。     

Employee Perspectives on MOOCs for Workplace Learning

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) can be considered a rather novel method in digital workplace learning, and there is as yet little empirical evidence on the acceptance and effectiveness of MOOCs in professional learning. In addition to existing findings on employers’ attitudes, this study seeks to investigate the employee perspective towards MOOCs in professional contexts and to further explore the acceptance of MOOCs for workplace learning. In a survey study, N?=?119 employees from a wide range of enterprises were questioned with regard to motivation, credentials, and incentives related to participation in MOOCs. Findings indicate a high importance of on-the-job and career development learning purposes as well as a general interest in MOOC topics. Credentials are deemed necessary, yet their acceptance among the relevant stakeholders is considered rather low. Implications for design and implementation of MOOCs in digital workplace learning and for further research are discussed.     

Equity considerations for open educational resources in the glocalization of education

Open educational resources (OER) have become new buzzwords in the glocalization of education. While OER are often espoused as enabling educational equity, the reality is not always the case. Looking only at the positives of new educational methods can mask perpetuating challenges, which makes the open aspect of OER a misnomer. Taking an alternative stance, this article critically evaluates the broader notion of OER through the lens of equity. It contends that while equity reasons often underpin the provision of OER, challenges continue to be experienced by some in accessing open digital materials for learning. This article explores some of these issues and argues that equity considerations are fundamental in OER design.     

It is time to MOOC and SPOC in the Gulf Region

In this paper we will explain massive open online courses (MOOCs)-how they started, their targeted audience, and what services they provide- and demonstrate selected MOOC service providers that best suit the Arabian Gulf region. The record annual growth for MOOCs has made many respected institutions reconsider their educational strategies. Many elite universities have started to join the stream; others are expected to join very soon. In this paper we will focus on select MOOC providers that will help institutions or individual instructors ride the stream before it is too late. All MOOC providers have been carefully selected to meet the author’s criteria of either having crossed a capacity range limit or being tailored to meet the Arabian Gulf region needs. Finally, the paper summarizes the best practices and gives recommendations for any Gulf region institution or individual for better implementation of MOOCs into their learning system.     

MOOC社会交互对持续参与意愿的影响研究——体验价值的中介作用

中国慕课数量和规模已居世界第一,进入了质的提升阶段。如何让学生“学得更好”、激发学习兴趣和潜能是当前慕课研究的重要任务。创新引入体验价值理论,构建了“社会交互—体验价值—持续参与意愿”的影响路径模型,采用问卷调查研究方法,使用SPSS和AMOS软件进行数据分析和结构方程模型检验。研究发现,一是MOOC社会交互的正向价值进一步被印证;二是功能体验价值、情感体验价值和社会体验机制对持续学习意愿有影响;三是体验价值在社会交互与持续学习意愿的关系中不同程度地发挥显著的中介作用。研究结论为改善MOOC平台社会交互设计以及提升交互质量和学习者持续学习意愿有指导价值。     

Global pressures on education research: quality,utility, and infrastructure

This article provides an overview of issues likely to drive educational research globally over the next decade, and it examines the Asia Pacific Education Review (APER)’s role in responding to these issues, shaping research agendas, and delivering high-quality research. We also look at the implications of these pressures, along with changes in the academic infrastructure, regarding the form, distribution, quality, and utility of education research. We focus on three pressures in particular: a new demography of education, the changing technology of education, and the expansion of higher education and the research university. Demographic pressures create demand for new and different types of institutional responses and have created a new set of issues in education. Technological innovations promise to challenge current systems. MOOCs, web-based professional development for adults, mobile learning, and web-based performance supports for younger students will alter the physical, intellectual, and learning environments of higher education. How might these developments affect the infrastructure of academic research? Quality control will become even more central. It is a strength of academe, something which research institutions are particularly well designed to conduct. Growth in the higher education sector has been accompanied by equally unprecedented growth in research programs, research-trained faculty, and research-oriented universities. This, in turn, has produced pressure for more publications and journals. We conclude with a discussion of how the educational research community will likely respond to these challenges and the role of APER in this process.