Exploring Chinese Students' Massive Open Online Course Learning Experiences From a Sociocultural Perspective

• In Event: Roundtable Session 52
  In Roundtable Session: Global Perspectives in Multicultural Education

Abstract

This research explores Chinese students’ learning experiences in the Creativity, Innovation and Change (CIC) MOOC 2.0, which is the first MOOC offered both in English and Chinese in Coursera. Data was collected through surveys, interviews, chat logs and artifacts. This study utilized a social-cultural approach to understand the effects of translation, culture differences and formation of an external online group on Chinese students’ learning outcomes. We found out that students felt the translation helped them understand the course topics, and this external online community assisted them with studying and completing the course. This research brings insights into the improvements of course design and enhancement of facilitating non-native English speakers in taking English delivered MOOCs.

Authors

• Qing Zhang, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Hengtao Tang, The Pennsylvania State University-University Park