Cross-Platform Engagement in MOOCs: Understanding Learner Audiences on Two Course Delivery Platforms

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

Abstract

Within a unique context where one MOOC is hosted on two different platforms simultaneously, we investigate differences in learner characteristics and behaviors across the two platforms. We identified four behavior clusters and described the characteristics of learners within the fully-engaged clusters. We conducted a cross-platform comparison analysis and identified significant differences in learners’ motivation across the platforms. This paper makes three contributions to literature on MOOC audiences: (1) a case study of MOOC learner audiences in a unique context (i.e., across platforms), (2) a demonstration of how to compare learner audience characteristics across platforms, and (3) a preliminary analysis of the behavior clusters representing the fully-engaged learners.

Authors

• Yuanru Tan

• Rebecca M. Quintana, University of Michigan

• Jonathan Sohn, University of Michigan