Examining Relationships Between MOOC Participants' Usage Data and Their Profiles Through Learning Analytics

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 4
  In Poster Session: Emerging Avenues for Research in Online Learning

Abstract

We investigated how working professionals taking a six-week MOOC interacted with key course components such as Discussion Forums, Readings, Videos, Quizzes, Optional Resources; and how their usage patterns may be connected to participants’ profiles (i.e. gender, prior MOOC experience, and reasons to take a MOOC). The results showed an overall declining trend of usage across all interaction events. Major decline was experienced in the first two weeks of the MOOC, suggesting that early interventions are crucial to enhance retention. One important finding was that extrinsic motivation may influence MOOC learners’ engagement in terms of participation in discussion forums for MOOCs designed for professional development. Therefore, MOOC designers and instructors should consider providing interventions or incentives to motivate participants to continue.

Authors

• Min Liu, The University of Texas at Austin

• Wenting Zou, The University of Texas at Austin

• Chenglu Li, The University of Texas at Austin

• Yi Shi, The University of Texas at Austin

• Zilong Pan, The University of Texas at Austin

• Xin Pan, The University of Texas at Austin